The first thought, or thoughts, that come to mind when thinking about the Fourth of July include traditional activities such as cookouts, parades, and of course, fireworks.

For some people, there’s nothing like a morning road race to get revved up for all those holiday traditions, and as always around these parts, there are plenty of races – seven in fact – to choose from on Friday.

The fastest, without question, is the Walter Hunt Memorial 3,000-meter (1.8 miles) which is contested on a quick point-to-point loop from Brewer to downtown Bangor.

The 28th annual event commences at 10:45 a.m., starting on Wilson Street in Brewer adjacent to Jason’s Pizza and Dunkin’ Donuts and finishes in Pickering Square Plaza in Bangor.

The race is dubbed “Maine’s Fastest Road Race,” and many runners clock personal-best times on this all-downhill course.

However, no course records have been broken since 1988, when Gerry Clapper tied Tim Wakeland’s 1987 mark of 8 minutes, 10 seconds. Wendy Delan ran 9:28, also in 1988.

If he decides to compete, Bar Harbor runner Judson Cake could be one of the early favorites, along with Adam Goode and Riley Masters.

“He’s been running really well, I think he’d definitely be the favorite,” race director Dave Torrey said of Cake, who won last weekend’s Tour du Lac 10-mile race in Bucksport.

Former Ellsworth High star Steven DeWitt won last year’s event in 8:27 while Hilary Maxim, a former Old Town runner heading to the University of Maine this fall, won the women’s race in 10:54.

Maxim is planning on competing while DeWitt has not pre-registered, Torrey said.

He added that pre-registration figures are close to 200 with a runner from as far away as Alaska signed up.

Race day registration starts at 8:30 a.m. inside the Brewer Auditorium and ends at 10:15 sharp.

The fee is only $8 for individuals and $25 for a family of four or more. All proceeds benefit the Sub 5 Track Club and Bangor’s fireworks display.

Everything’s pretty much the same in terms of awards, as the top three finishers in different age groups receive a medallion along with an apple pie while the Bill Pinkham award goes to the first-place male and female competitors in the 60-to-65 year old age group.

The award honors the late Lamoine runner who died after finishing this race in 2005.

Another Maine Fourth of July favorite is the L.L. Bean 10K and 1-mile fun run in Freeport.

This race, which had 711 finishers last year, led by local boy Ethan Hemphill (32:33), attracts runners from near and far.

Evan Graves of Presque Isle finished second in this event in 2007 and Judson Cake of Bar Harbor was third.

This year’s edition of the race goes off at 7:30 a.m. from the Freeport Town Park on Bow Street, with all proceeds supporting the Cumberland County YMCA’s Scholarship Program.

With New Balance’s support as a sponsor of the race, the first 800 runners to sign up receive a T-shirt while the first 500 get a free pair of New Balance training shoes.

Other events include the Stonington Six six-miler in Stonington, the sixth annual “Friends on the 4th” 5K in Winthrop, the sixth annual Mount Desert Island Relay, a relay that circles the perimeter of MDI, the Goose Rocks Beach Associations 5K in Kennebunkport and the Heritage Days 5-miler in Bath.

B2B offers health services

This summer, the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K will become the first race in the country to offer runners Personal Health Record Services via the Internet.

Race officials are teaming up with the company MedicalSummary.com to offer participants in the 11th annual race opportunities to submit medical information safely and securely over the web.

Participation in the program is not mandatory, however, it is free for all runners from registration up to two weeks following the race. Volunteers can take part as well.

rmclaughlin@bangordailynews.net

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