How to resolve AdBlock issue? The race, now in its sixth year of kicking off the city’s Independence Day festivities, grew by over 600 entries from the 2011 edition.
Syracuse University cross-country runner Patrick Georghan ended up finishing in first place overall, mere inches ahead of his friend and fellow Syracuse runner Tito Medrano. Both men were officially listed as finishing the race with a time of 19 minutes, 44 seconds.
The friendly competition for first and second between Georghan and Medrano created quite a separation from the rest of the field. The third place finisher and UAlbany runner Ethan Clary finished almost a minute behind the top two with a time of 20 minutes, 33 seconds.
The photo finish for the top overall spot could have been even more exciting, had Medrano not given way to Georghan at the finish line. Medrano would not be allowed to collect prize money for the race while maintaining his eligibility for the spring semester at Syracuse. Should the pair return for the 2013 race, the rivalry could blossom as both runners seemed to let up on the gas once they had secured the top two spots.
The first Saratoga Springs resident across the finish line was Sean Pezzulo, who clocked in at 20 minutes, 48 seconds.
Hannah Davidson was the first woman to cross the finish line, and with it captured her fourth Firecracker4 title. Davidson won the race in style, breaking her own personal best and finishing in 22 minutes, 22 seconds. Davidson is no stranger to the four-mile road race, having won in the race’s inaugural year of 2007, again in 2009, and now capturing back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
Shenendehowa alum Nicole Irving was the second female runner to finish. She came in 55th overall, with a time of 22 minutes, 47 seconds.
