Register: Dundalk 6K Runs July Fourth Parade Route

The Dundalk Heritage Independence 6K attracts several hundred runners each year. Exercise and competition are always good reasons to lace up the sneakers, but the added benefit of this local race is the opportunity to run the July Fourth parade route before the floats start making their way through Old Dundalk to Heritage Park.

The cost of the event is $30 through July 3, and $35 on race day, July Fourth. Runners can register through www.charmcityrun.com.

“We usually get about 350-500 runners each year, depending on the weather and other factors,” said Kelly Dees of Charm City Run, which manages the race. “It precedes the parade, in the hope people will stay around and enjoy the festivities afterwards.”

The race begins at 7 a.m., at the Community College of Baltimore County Dundalk. A race packet pick-up is available at Charm City Run in Timonium from noon to 3 p.m., July 3.

Last year, Inside Out Fitness owner Lisa Lovejoy did the run with a half-dozen members of her beginner’s running group.

“We’re doing it again this year,” Lovejoy said. “It’s a lot of fun. There’s people cheering for you. And you always see someone you know on the sidelines (getting situated for the parade). Not being from Dundalk, running through Old Dundalk, I see something new.”

The first 350 entrants receive a race T-shirt (sizes not guaranteed on race day) and post-race refreshments are available to all. All miles are marked and split times provided on course. There’s water and medical assistance available on course and at the finish line.

Baby joggers, strollers, roller blades, skates, bikes, dogs or headphones are not allowed on the race course.

Proceeds from the Dundalk Heritage Independence 6K benefit Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center's Community Health Care Programs in the East Baltimore area.