Revolutionary Run Steps Off July 4th At Washington Crossing Park

UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA — Saturday’s Revolutionary Run is gearing up to be one for the history books.

More than 1500 runners from 23 states are expected to hit the streets of historic Washington Crossing for the 44th Revolutionary Run, taking place on the Fourth of July, the nation’s 250th birthday.

Tying in with the historic backdrop of the park and the Fourth of July holiday, event organizers have set a symbolic goal of 1776 runners this year, which would shatter the previous record of 1424 set just last year.

“If registration continues as it has, it’s gearing up to be something phenomenal,” said Matthew McElroy of the Upper Makefield Business Association, the organization that has staged the event for more than four decades. “We already have participants coming from 23 states, including Hawaii and California, which is great.”

The event steps off at 8 a.m. with a one-mile fun run for parents, grandparents and families, followed by a 5K Race for hearty runners at 8:15 a.m. and a 10K Race for downright serious runners at 8:45 a.m., each taking place amid the historic surroundings of Washington Crossing Historic Park.

Kicking off each race will be the presentation of the colors by the Guardians of the National Cemetery, the singing of the National Anthem, and a park reenactor firing a musket to start each race.

The RevRun kicks off a full day of events at the park marking the nation’s 250th birthday that include a living history experience with live readings of the Declaration of Independence and musket firing demonstrations, followed by a free concert on the riverfront and a fireworks display. Click here for a complete schedule of park events.

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

“What’s really cool is that the Revolutionary Run takes place in historic Washington Crossing. There is no other race in the world that can say you’ll be running right where Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware,” said McElroy. “People dress up in red, white and blue. It’s really fun to participate in and to watch.”

The course is also exceptional, adds McElroy. “Most of the course is through the park and along River Road, which is beautiful. It’s nice and shaded. And it’s flat.”

The community also embraces the run, said McElroy “This race is especially fun in the way the residents embrace it. It’s special. They are playing music out in front of their homes with their families cheering everyone on. They’re clanging pots and pans. Some set up tables and hand out water. It’s something the community enjoys and looks forward to as much as the runners. It’s a real community celebration.”

According to McElroy, proceeds raised by the race are donated back to the community through grants to local causes; scholarships to graduating seniors from Council Rock, Central Bucks, Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Morrisville, and New Hope-Solebury; and donations to the community’s First Responders and to Washington Crossing Historic Park.

“The more money we raise, the more money we can give away,” said McElroy.

To mark the 44th race and the nation’s 250th, each participant will receive a commemorative race day shirt designed by a student from Council Rock High School South. “She did a great job on it,” said McElroy. “It was exciting to partner with Council Rock on the design contest and to see how creative they could be.”

Since its founding in 1968, the Upper Makefield Business Association has been “a silent, positive contributor to a lot of great philanthropic causes over the years,” said McElroy. “With this upcoming RevRun we’re going to raise even more money to give back to the community.”

“And we couldn’t do what we’re doing without our key sponsors," who have stepped forward year after year to make the Revolutionary Run a success, adds McElroy.

This year's sponsors include Capital Health and Team Toyota as platinum sponsors; Johnson Kendall Johnson and Brick & Kyle as gold medal sponsors; Wegmans, Fred Beans, and Genesis Personal Fitness as silver medal sponsors; and Bryce Wealth Management, TNT Tree Service, RIA Regional Insurance Associates, Jay Spaziana, and the Laundry Depot, as bronze medal sponsors..

Participants can register up to midnight on July 3 to get the discounted rate of $45 for the 5K and 10K. Late arrivals will be welcomed on the morning of July the Fourth at the higher fee of $50. Race day registration begins at 6:30. The cost of the fun run is $25 through July 3 and $30 on race day.

For complete information and to register, click here.