There’s nothing small about the Mattapoisett Road Race. This year almost 1,000 people completed the Independence Day five-miler, more than 100 people volunteered on the course to help and hydrate runners, and the proceeds, which are awarded to Old Rochester senior athletes, will be at least $14,000.

“Mattapoisett didn’t disappoint,” said Race Director Bill Tilden.

From participation to music from the Harpoon Harmonizers to cheerers lining the streets, the Fourth of July fanfare helps racers along.

“The finish line is really good here because the spectators are awesome. There are a lot of crowds along the whole route. It makes it fun. It takes your mind off it,” said Brooke Ashley of Freetown.

For many, the five-mile race is a big step up from 5Ks, and for his first Mattapoisett Road Race, Tres Elger, 10, was in good company.

His father, Herman, and mother, Rebecca, have run marathons and the Fourth of July race, respectively.

“He plays a lot of soccer, so he’s in shape,” said Rebecca. “We’re going to stay together as a team.”

Tres learned one strategy after the Mother’s Day Tiara 5K: “To not go as fast.”

While the Elgers, a Mattapoisett family, planned to pace themselves on the breezy but hot morning, Jason Eddy was in it to win it.

Eddy, graduated from ORR in 1998 and was a beneficiary of a Mattapoisett Road Race award his senior year.

“I’ve run every one since I graduated from high school,” said the Rochester resident. “If I was not injured, I ran it.”

Apparently the dedication has paid off. Eddy finished in first place, and said he will continue to run in the race as long as he is able.

Many runners return to the race year after year, some for decades, and Tilden said the event is meant to be an enjoyable one.

“We just want everybody to have a good time on the course,” he said.

Eddy finished with a 26:50 time, followed by Taylor Days-Merill of Fairhaven, 27:26, and Dan McSolla of Bridgewater, 27:36. In the women's top three, Kim Bolick of Marion finished first with 31:14, Meg Hughes of Rochester finished second with 31:37 and Megan O'Brien of Palos Heights, Illinois, came in third with 31:56.

The complete race results are available on Race Wire.