Run 4 Your Life with the Schenectady Fire Department, 5K Saturday

Schenectady fire trucks — PHOTOGRAPHER: File Photo

SCHENECTADY – The Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation is once again holding its Run 4 Your Life 5k race. The race is a fundraiser for the foundation, which provides direct support to firefighters with cancer, as well as fund preventative measures like screenings and educating firefighters of their increased risk.

The race will occur Saturday at 9 a.m. and consists of two laps around Central Park. Runners and walkers are both welcome and participants are permitted to walk their dogs or with their children as well.

Online registration has closed but there are still opportunities to sign up. On Friday, hopeful runners may go to the Best Fitness in Crosstown Plaza from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to sign up. There will also be a registration tent at the event. The tent opens at 7:30 a.m. and the foundation asks late registrants to arrive by 8:30 a.m. to allow time for signing up.

Following the 5k will be a kids fun run and a chowderfest. Six local restaurants will compete for the best chowder. Proceeds will go toward the foundation, so anyone not able to run can still contribute toward the cause. Donations also may be made on the foundation’s website, neverfightalone.org.

A virtual option is once again available. Virtual participants can complete their run anywhere, anytime from Saturday to the following Tuesday. This year there will be runners across seven states, including Maryland, Virginia and Colorado. Virtual participants will still be able to upload their times and any GPS tracking data, which can be done on the foundation’s website.

“We try to engage on a personal level when marketing this event,” said John Falotico, race director. “I come from a running family so I share it with them, and they share it with their own running communities.”

Returning for the second time will be a team of first responders. “It’s a great way to reach the people who are affected,” said Falotico.

This year, in addition to longtime sponsor Harding and Mazzotti, Death Wish Coffee will sponsor the event and bring their coffee truck.

“What I look forward to most is that moment between the runners taking the starting line and the gun actually going off,” said Falotico. “That moment to me is most rewarding, because I can look around the park and see visibly the fruits of the labors of my team.”