Fall 2026 • Binghamton, New York
Healthy Kids Running Series Race 4 brought the five-week fall season to its fourth Sunday at Otsiningo Park on October 18. With one more race to go, it's a good opportunity to appreciate how much young runners learn from showing up week after week.
Jump to the Race 4 photo gallery ↓ | Race 4 results update ↓
Getting the Hang of This Racing Thing
There's something I like about the fourth race of a five-race series. The first week is new. The second feels more familiar. By week four, the kids have had a few chances to figure out starting lines, pacing, finish lines, and what it feels like to race.
The parents have had some practice, too. Getting everyone to the right starting area with the right shoes and bib deserves its own event.
But the best part of Healthy Kids Running Series isn't necessarily who finishes first. It's giving children another opportunity to run, learn, and improve alongside other families in our community.
Four Races of Progress
Over a five-week series, progress isn't always measured by the clock. Young runners learn how to handle crowded starts, how to keep moving when they're tired, and how to finish what they started.
Race 3 gave us a memorable lesson in exactly that. After a fall near the start, one young runner got back up and finished. Read the Race 3 story, Getting Back Up, and see the earlier photos and results.
Through Race 3
Little Numbers, Big Progress: The First Three Races
While we wait for the fourth week's official results, the first three races have already given us a few stories worth celebrating.
- 63 runners appeared in the opening-week results. Among those entries, 34 matched the initials and surnames of runners listed in the Spring 2026 finale. It's a useful sign of continuity, although initials alone don't confirm identity.
- 40 runners had scored in all three races by October 4. Showing up three Sundays in a row is an achievement worth recognizing.
- 18 runners in the timed divisions improved their previous Fall 2026 best during Race 3. C. DePugh moved from 6:55 to 5:09, an improvement of 1 minute 46 seconds, while E. Stalica went from 8:04 to 7:37.
- Some races came down to seconds. Race 3's K–1 boys top three finished in 2:00, 2:05 and 2:07. The 2nd–3rd grade girls top three were only eight seconds apart, at 3:52, 3:57 and 4:00.
- Four runners had a perfect 30 points through Race 3: C. Gorman, L. Singer (K–1 boys), B. Fuentes and M. Grygus. Race 4's updated standings are still to come.
One of my favorite parts of looking back through the results is seeing kids grow into new divisions. Several runners who competed as preschoolers in spring are racing in the kindergarten/first-grade groups this fall. That's the kind of progression a five-week series can make visible over time.
Explore the Race 1 report, Race 2 results, and Race 3 highlights for the earlier stories and full galleries.
Race 4 Moment
The Racing Ended. The Playing Didn't.
There was still plenty of energy left after today's races. Two young runners stayed to play and ended up with muddy hands, which they were more than happy to show off. Apparently a race at Otsiningo Park was only part of the afternoon's fun.
Race Results
Race 4 Results
Race 4 official results are pending. We will update this article with the official individual times, division results, and refreshed series standings when they are released. Until then, see the Fall 2026 standings through Race 3.
Catch Up on the Fall 2026 Series
One More Sunday
The Fall 2026 finale is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at 12:30 p.m. at Otsiningo Park. One more chance to run, improve, and celebrate a season of effort.
Thanks to the organizers, volunteers, and families who make these races happen.
Healthy Kids Running Series Binghamton
Find the fall schedule, previous races, and series history.
Photo Gallery
Healthy Kids Running Series Binghamton Race 4 Photos
Browse the Race 4 photo gallery from Otsiningo Park in Binghamton on October 18, 2026.
