A sweaty July Fourth tradition

The Fourth of July is a great holiday with its traditions of parades, cookouts and fireworks.

Another one — running, jogging or walking a road race — is starting to catch up.

After just three decades since the first "running boom," nearly 240 road races will be held across the United States this Friday. In fact, the biggest race of the year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race, has been held on Independence Day since 1970 and regularly draws 50,000-plus for a 10K that is guaranteed to be a steam bath.

Participating in a July Fourth race is another chance to don red, white and blue, and run one for the country as well as get some good exercise before partaking in the indulgences of the holiday.

Surprisingly, Charleston's July 4 road race tradition isn't as established (we do have one heck of a Thanksgiving Day race), but for us "stay-cationers," we do have options.

The second annual Atlantic Bank & Trust July 4 Cross-Country Run (a 5K trail run) will be held at 8 a.m. at Trophy Lakes on Johns Island. Cost is $20-$25. www.theextramileinc.com or 853-9987.

If you want to burn a little fossil fuel and some time for a bit more of a tradition, head to Hilton Head Island for the 23rd annual Hilton Head Firecracker 5000 Road Race and Family Fun Walk.

Firecracker, the oldest and largest (about 1,000 participate every year) race in Beaufort County, starts at 8 a.m. at The Mall at Shelter Cove on Hilton Head Island. The cost is $35. Race packet pick-up and late registration will be held 3-6 p.m. today at center court inside the mall at Shelter Cove and 6:30-7:30 a.m. Friday behind the mall.