The 4th Of July is one of the largest participatory race days in the state of Maine. Last year over 5,000 runner's participated in holiday races and it continues to grow and fill up faster than ever.

Start the week of July 4th by running The Weekly Back Cove Series, held every Wednesday night at 6pm, thru September 16. Where else can you line up, get a time and support a great cause. Runner's may purchase a WBCS Tech Tee for $20 or make a donation with all proceeds going to support Portland Trails, the foundation of our fitness community.

July 4th starts things off with a bang with the L.L. Bean 10K in Freeport and the Four on the 4th in Bridgton. LL Bean is given away pair of New Balance 1063 Running Shoes to the 1st 400 and tech tees to the 1st 700 registered runners. Both Races offer an opportunity to participate in Holiday classics with plenty of family fun and have already surpassed last years numbers. July 4th offers a number of Maine community races, such as Four On The Fourth in York, Friends on The Fourth 5K, Winthrop, Bath Heritage Days 5 Miler, Bath, Mt Desert Relay, Bar Harbour, Hunt Memorial 3K, Brewer and finally, the Goose Rocks Beach 5K, Kennebunk on Sunday! I can't think of a better way to start the holiday than getting your run out of the way in your favorite community race. Happy Fourth!

After the 4th, July is packed with festival races and the heart of the Maine Racing season. Looking for something different? On July 12th, try the Bradbury Scuffle 6 Mile Trail Run at Bradbury Mtn State Park. July 18th is the "Pat's Pizza" 5 Mile Classic. This race, including a great Kid's Fun Run, starts at the town common in Yarmouth and offer's an opportunity to run before embarking on a day full of "Clam Festival" events.

July 25th presents an opportunity to run one of New England's most underrated events….the Peaks Island 5 Miler. The island course, features a scenic course and pre-race registration participants receive an Island Artist t-shirt, a Lobster Bake and an opportunity to run one of New England Runner Magazine's named best road races in New England.

August 2nd features the 12th TD Banknorth "Beach To Beacon." 10K. On-line registration filled up the 7,000 slots in 1:45 this year, frustrating some Mainers, but none the less, Mainer's point for this race as the height of the Summer racing season. Trust Dave Weatherbie and his crew to improve the on-line registration component next year.

Maine Running Company will host group runs every Sunday morning at 8am, in July, beginning July 5th. Meeting at Cape Elizabeth High School, group runs will cover both the 1st Half and 2nd Half of the course. For Information Go Here!. Additionally, join Hannaford and Maine Running Company every Tuesday Night in July @ 5:30pm for B2B Group runs at the Back Cove Hannaford. Look for the Hannaford and MRC tents.

August 9th is the 2nd Women's only Tri For A Cure to raise money for the Maine Cancer Foundation. This event sold out quickly and has a cap of 700 participants and a waiting list of 400. Didn't get in? Volunteer for this worthy cause.

So have a great 4th of July and Summer (yes, the sun will shine eventually!) and remember….Run Happy!