Flagstaff's Four on Fourth Crowns First Two-Time Champ!

Randy Wilson and his daughter Caroline organized the 6th annual Flagstaff's Free Four on the Fourth run which brought out 53 participants. It was a picture perfect morning with a bit of cool drizzle at registration. Prior to the race on the Karen Cooper section of Flagstaff Urban Trail, runners congregate at the "FlagStaff" pole. See the Arizona Daily Sun's story about one of Flagstaff's iconic spots!

 Randy Wilson and daughter Caroline register runners in the rain.

Runners congregate at the "FlagStaff pole"

The event gives most age divisions a head start, so that the race comes down to the wire. It is tough to be young and fast in this race as the men's 18 to 29 division are considered scratch runners with no head start. To ensure no one short cuts the course, Flagstaff Walking guru Jack Welch staff's the halfway mark by putting an "x" on each runner's bib.

Janet inspires by going toe-to-toe with Flagstaff's young athletes! 

  The race's best dressed, fastest runner, and first two time champion! 

Known to attend or step into this fun run, Flagstaff's finest running and most inspiring cheerleader, Olympian Janet Cherobon-Bawcom became the race's first two time winner. This despite the race organizer invoking a new rule, "past champion's penalty," decreasing her head start by one minute . Evidently wearing the best costume and showing the most July 4th spirit, propelled her to victory by over a minute. In fact, Janet sped through the finish line to race downtown to see her friends race at the Team Run Flagstaff Downtown Mile, leaving her husband Jay to collect her winner's certificate! 

 Randy Wilson sends off the race's oldest ever participant, Tom Casey, 83 years young.

For the second straight year, Katie Landry took second place and the first 6 spots were all women! Tom Casey became our oldest finisher at 83 years young!  Congrats to all finishers many who then headed straight downtown to catch the Independence Day Parade! 

    

 The top ten proudly hold their finisher certificates; Jay Bawcom standing in for wife Janet!

The group shot!

Full Results posted!

Happy Independence Day!