Thousands Expected for Finish at the 50 Road Race at Gillette Stadium

Becoming one of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in the area, promoters for the Harvard Pilgrim Finish at the 50 5K/10K at Gillette Stadium are promising a better course and a bigger event than in previous years.

On Friday, the stadium will hold the annual 4th of July run and fireworks spectacular for the sixth time, giving racers a chance to run an urban race in the comfort of a small town setting.

According to Patriots Place General Manager Brian Earley, the new course will have fewer twists and turns, taking runners on Route 1 and around Foxborough.

“I think one of the cool things about the 10K is you go onto Route 1, then you get into the neighborhoods of Foxborough before entering the stadium,” Early said. “We think it’s a very special race and with 20,000 people running since the inception with the race, a lot of people agree with us.”

Participants in both races will be sent off by Patriots lineman Nate Solder who will be at the starting line to with the best of luck to runners in the 5K and 10K. Runners in the 10K will start in front of Pro Shop, follow the east Interior road around the lot before making a left onto the Patriots Place Service Road. The race continues off-site and on Route 1 before taking a right onto North Street brings runners into the Foxborough neighborhoods. On North Street, the course takes a left onto Beach Street, right at Edwards Road, left on Young Road, left on North Street, and a right on the access road. A run around the South Marketplace of Patriot Place is followed by a final push through the stadium and to the finish at midfield.

5K runners will also start in front of the ProShop, running on the outer loop road and past the fieldhouse before entering the stadium at the Bank of America entrance. The course goes straight up the ramps to the 300 level upon stadium entry, going back down at the ramp on the other corner of the north side of the stadium before runners to go down the uBid ramp, temporarily out of the stadium, and back in for a sprint to the finish.

Local inspiration Team Hoyt will also be participating in the race. While Dick will not be participating, Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivary will push Rick Hoyt in the 10K as part of a 60th birthday gift from the Hoyt family.

The day will end with a 20-minute firework display at 9 p.m. Music for the show can be heard on Power 88 FM.

Area roads around the neighborhood portion of the 10K will be closed from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate runners. Signs will be placed on the streets to remind residents of the closures.

On-site registration for the day of the race starts at noon at the NRG Place between the ProShop and CBS Scene.

The 5K starts at 6 p.m. with the 10K following at 7 p.m.

Photo Credit: New England Patriots