Jules Carr-Chellman just wanted to spend some quality time with his dad on the Fourth of July. When they crossed finish line at the 2013 Firecracker 4K Thursday morning, the 11-year-old said it felt really good.
“I figured it’d be a lot of fun … it was,” Carr-Chellman says. The father and son team was part of the record 1,189 registered participants who ran or walked more than two miles around Penn State’s campus. Each year, the Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest stars a day long celebration of the nation’s independence with a race at 9 a.m.
Participants lined up at the start line and sang the national anthem before taking off. Spectators didn’t have to wait long to see them again — runners started to cross the finish line about 10 minutes later.
Runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels participated. Some people sprinted while others pushed strollers, jogged, or walked their dogs.
Everyone was relieved to see that the weather held out, after days of unpredictable, flooding rains.
Nicole Scipione says she and a group of about six friends decided to run the race, “just to have something to do today.” Her boyfriend’s neighbor inspired the idea.
Crossing the finish line felt good, Scipione says. “I’m so glad the sun wasn’t shining, though, because it’s hot. Very hot.”
With the race behind them the runners were looking forward to spending the rest of the day celebrating with family and friends.
“We’re going to a pool party and then a cookout,” Scipione says. “You know, it’s very American.”
The Carr-Chellman men plan to hang out at Beaver Stadium. They’ll volunteer at the carnival by helping park cars with the boy scouts.
“Later, we’ll get some good seats and watch the fireworks,” Jules says.
Check out all there is to do around State College for the Fourth the July with StateCollege.com’s guide.
