The crowds! The parade! The family traditions are the best parts of the BHS 4th of July 5K Road Race.

The race takes place on the parade route of the hometown parade, starting sharply at 9:00am,Saturday, July 4th, 2026 prior to the parade. Runners enjoy the cheers of tens of thousands of spectators along the route.

  A true hometown event. 

This USTF 5K course is one of the most fun and exciting races in that runners are surrounded by thousands of fans lining both sides of the entire course.  

CASH PRIZES:

This year, Berkshire Health Systems will be offering prize money  to the top 3 overall category winners.

Awards will go to the top three overall age division winner. 0-10 11-15 16-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+

STUDENTS RUN FREE:

Berkshire County students grades K-12 can register for free  *shirts to the first 300 students SIZES NOT GUARENTEED. 

The registration fee is $35 for all participants through July 1st at 6pm

$40 July 1- July 3rd in person registration only at Berkshire Running Center bib pick up 10am-6pm THERE IS NO DAY OF REGISTRATION

There will be a Corporate Challenge Division in which businesses can compete in this special category while supporting the race.

Enter your business for the Corporate Division option.  

There will be a Team Division in which participants can create a team and the top team with the fastest 5 runners will win the category. 

Teams can be created at registration. 

Sponsorships are needed and welcomed by contacting Lisa Lewis at llewis3@bhs1.org

Proceeds will go to support community wellness programing thru Berkshire Health Systems

BIB PICK UP 

Thursday July 2nd and Friday July 3rd 10am-6pm 

Berkshire Running Foundation 

5 Cheshire Road Suite 119 

Allendale Underground Downstairs

Pittsfield, MA 01201 

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 5PM Friday July 3rd.  

BIB PICK UP Friday morning 7:15-8:15am at Wahconah Park  

There is NO DAY OF REGISTRATION. 

Become a sponsor of the BHS July 4th 5K 

725 North Street 

 Pittsfield, MA 01201 

(413) 447-2000 

March 2026 

Dear Business Leader, 

What started nearly forty years ago as a small group of 250 runners has become one of Pittsfield’s most  anticipated Fourth of July traditions. Each year, the Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) July 4th 5K brings our  community together before the parade, filling the streets with energy, encouragement, and a shared  commitment to health and wellness. 

Last July 4, more than 1,300 runners—from first-timers to seasoned athletes—lined up at the start. This  year, we’re aiming even higher, with a goal of welcoming 1,500 runners to the starting line, and I’m reaching  out to invite you to be part of that success through race sponsorship. 

Your sponsorship supports BHS community wellness programs, including the July 4th 5K, and helps remove  barriers to participation for local families. Through sponsor support, we’re able to offer free race  registrations to all Berkshire County students in grades K–12, encouraging families to run together and  make healthy traditions of their own. Last year, more than 360 children participated, marking our highest  level of family involvement to date. 

Once again, BHS health professionals are partnering with the Berkshire Running Foundation to extend the  impact of the race beyond a single morning. Through this partnership, you and your employees can take  part in a six-week comprehensive 5K training program that includes free workouts, group training runs, and  expert guidance from the Berkshire Running Center and the BHS Wellness Team. The program begins on  May 23, offering participants a supportive, accessible way to prepare for race day. More information is  available at berkshirerun.org/train-to-run/. 

Sponsoring the BHS July 4th 5K is a meaningful way to demonstrate your commitment to employee well being and community health, while gaining visibility with thousands of runners, families, and spectators  during one of Pittsfield’s most beloved celebrations. Enclosed, you’ll find the sponsorship form; the  deadline to participate is May 29. 

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support health and wellness across Berkshire County. Please  don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, I’d be happy to connect. 

Sincerely, 

Jackie Kelly Olson 

BHS Major Gifts Officer  

jkelly10@bhs1.org 

(413) 447-2878 

enclosure

2026 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 

Spring is here, and it is time to start planning for the 2026 Berkshire Health Systems 4th of July 5K Race! Your  sponsorship will support free race registrations for all Berkshire County students, as well as a range of BHS  wellness programs beyond the July 4th 5K race. Becoming a corporate sponsor of the BHS July 4th Race is a smart  way to build brand awareness, while showing your employees and customers that you care about their well-being. 

Join us as a 2026 BHS July 4th 5K Race Sponsor! Deadline is May 29, 2026. At every level, BHS July 4th 5K Race Sponsors get: 

High-level exposure with over 1,300 runners and 40,000 parade spectators 

Media opportunities and business mentions on website and social media 

Community involvement & employee engagement with the opportunity to form a company team 

$2,500 Sponsor 

• 15 Free Race Registrations -- Create a company team and get recognized as a Corporate  Challenge Team  

• Free 6-Week training program that begins on May 23 for the 15 registrants • Logo signage along racecourse 

• Logo on finish line banner  

• Prominent logo placement on race t-shirt 

$1,000 Sponsor 

• 10 Free Race Registrations -- Create a company team and get recognized as a Corporate  Challenge Team  

• Free 6-Week training program that begins on May 23 for the 10 registrants • Logo placement on race t-shirt 

$500 Sponsor 

• 5 Free Race Registrations -- Create a company team and get recognized as a Corporate  Challenge Team  

• Free 6-Week training program that begins on May 23 for the 5 registrants • Logo on race t-shirt 

$250 Friend of the 4th 

• Your donation of $250 gives 10 kids the opportunity to run for free.  

• Logo on race t-shirt 

(over)

Questions? Please contact Jackie Kelly Olson, BHS Major Gifts Officer at jkelly10@bhs1.org, or (413) 447-2878 

SPONSORSHIP COMMITMENT FORM 

Please select a sponsorship level below and return the form by May 29, 2026 to ensure you are included on the race t-shirt. If you  would like to discuss an alternative level of support, please contact Jackie Kelly Olson, at (413) 447-2878, or jkelly10@bhs1.org. Thank you for supporting the Berkshire Health Systems 2026 4th of July 5K race! 

SPONSOR NAME (as you would like it to appear in print) 

SPONSOR LEVEL: ___$2,500 ___$1,000 ___$500 ___$250 

CONTACT PERSON: PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS 

CITY/STATE/ZIP 

___ Yes, we would like to participate in the Corporate Challenge. Please contact me for more information ___ No, we won’t be participating in the Corporate Challenge this year.  

Method of Payment 

___ CHECK (Please make your check out to Berkshire Medical Center TAX ID: 04-2791396) 

MAIL TO: Berkshire Health Systems 

Attn: Development 

P.O. Box 551 

Pittsfield, MA 01202 

___ CREDIT CARD (VISA, MC, Discover, AmEx) 

Sponsorship  Deadline is  May 29, 2026

Credit Card # Exp. Date Security Code Name on Card 

Billing Address 

Billing City/State/Zip 

Please return payment and form to: 

Berkshire Health Systems 

Attn: Development 

P.O. Box 551 

Pittsfield, MA 01202 

Questions? Please contact Jackie Kelly Olson, BHS Major Gifts Officer at jkelly10@bhs1.org, or (413) 447-2878