Runners wave as they make the turn from Slaughterhouse Lane to Gilman Avenue in Gardnerville for the Fourth of July 'We Run This Town' 5K.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Carson Valley’s annual Fourth of July celebration started early in Gardnerville on Friday.
“I’m here for two jobs today,” said 79-year-old volunteer Marynell Hartnett said as she waved the pinwheel she used to direct runners. “I’m here for the town of Gardnerville fun run, pointing ‘go this way’ and then I move to the finish line, and I yell “Yay, Good Job!”
Hartnett said that when she was participating in the Carson Valley Days 5K the runners responded.
“When I was cheering at the other corner, I had the runners, say ‘Yay,’ back to me, and that I was doing a good job. So ‘Yay’ for all of us out here today.”
Hartnett said she enjoyed the runners patriotic costumes.
The Fourth of July We Run This Town is the second in a three part series over the summer. It attracted 281 runners this year, according to Main Street Gardnerville Executive Director Jen Tune.
“We had 281 registered runners this year and it was very patriotic,” she said. “It’s the most patriotic run you’ll have on this side of the Valley.”
Tune said the event helps put the “fun in fundraising,” with $5 of every entry fee going to support Wreaths Across America at Gardnerville Cemetery in December.
“It also helps to support Heritage Park Gardens and the other things we do downtown,” she said.
Hartnett said she planned to attend the Carson Valley Pops patriotic performance in Heritage Park at 11:30 a.m.
Over in Genoa, preparations were underway for the annual Americana Festival as the Carson City Symphony unloaded its gear in preparation for the day’s events.