SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Springfield Harriers annual Fourth of July Road Race kicked off at the Basketball Hall of Fame Thursday morning. Final preparations underway for Star Spangled Springfield Runners from all over western Massachusetts and beyond joined the Greater Springfield Harriers to run in the Fourth of July 5K. The race began on Hall of Fame Avenue, looped along the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway, and finished on the front walkway of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Runners showed up decked out in their red, white, and blue to celebrate this Independence Day alongside fellow runners. This year's Race Director Iwona Baruch told 22News how great it is to see the community coming together to race every year, "We just have fun with this race, and everybody enjoys it. As you notice here, everybody, it's a tradition we have every year." 22News spoke with several runners at the finish line about what it means to make the Fourth of July race day. "Feeling terrific, beautiful day, lots of folks. I just want to shout out my dog Ramey, wish you could be here, but you're running the next one," said Michael Carvalo of Springfield. "I've been running road races for years, and you know, I wanted to do a fun Fourth of July road race today and he's usually on the sidelines watching me but this is the first road race we're running together," said Juan Anderson-Burgos of Holyoke. "We come every year. Yeah, Pat and I have been coming for many years," said Paul of Springfield. This year's first place winner finished in just over 15 minutes, and second and third place finishers were not far behind. Official results and times will be released on the Greater Springfield Harriers website later Thursday. Congratulations to all of the runners and happy 4th of July! Local News Annual 4th of July road race held in Springfield Ecuadorian fugitive wanted for child rape arrested in Northampton Passengers injured after boat hits object in Connecticut River Dog in poor condition found abandoned, in crate on side of Belchertown road WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.