Even if you’re not man—or woman—enough to strap on 50 pounds of gear, you’ll want to be there to cheer on those who are when the 2018 Run 4 the Hills for First Responders takes to the hills of Sharon Springs at 9am Saturday.
The race starts and finishes at the American Hotel.
Packet pick-up and race registration is Friday from 3-6pm at the American and if you’re still deciding if you’re up to the challenge, 7:30-8:30am Saturday.
You don’t have to wear rescue, fire department or law enforcement gear to run; “regular runners” are welcome to join the four-mile walk-run too and at last count, about 400 people had already registered for the event.
Of them, there are about 20 teams for a total of about 100 EMS and law enforcement participants.
American co-owner Garth Roberts began Run 4 the Hills in 2016 as a way to support rescue workers.
Three years later, the Sharon Springs Rescue Squad challenged fellow EMS and fire vols to tackle the course in full turn-out gear.
Last year, Run 4 the Hills expanded that focus, drawing 67 “geared” participants from across the Northeast and raising $30,000; Saturday’s run promises to raise even more for Mr. Roberts’ Hero Fund America and the Sharon Springs Rescue Squad.
Also Saturday, an EMS helicopter from LifeNet 7-2 of New York, Guthrie Air will be landing on Main Street at 7am, across from the Roseboro Hotel.
A party celebrating all of the day’s participants will wrap up the event afterwards at the American.