Long-running traditions continued and new racers joined the annual Mattapoisett Road Race held on July 4.

More than 800 runners arrived at the start line on Water Street in front of Shipyard Park.

Sarah O’Reilly, 8, joined her father Ted to run the race for the first time.

Ted, a race veteran, has run for the past 17 years. To commemorate his daughter’s first run, the two wore colorful, fuzzy hats.

“You have to have hats. It’s a fun run, right?” he said.

Brothers Teddy and William Sanders stood on Water Street with their grandmother Cecile Sanders to cheer for their parents. Though young, the Sanders brothers have been attending the race for a few years, Cecile said.

Race Director Bill Tilden cautioned runners to be wary of the heat. At 9 a.m., temperatures approached the low 80s and racers dealt with high humidity.

“Please do not come in dehydrated,” Tilden said, adding there were multiple water tables along the route.

On Ned’s Point Road, the Richard family; Gary, Angela, Charles, and Leanne, along with Will McIntosh, Cynthia Redel, and Mike Esposito, gave water to thirsty runners.

This is the 25^th year the family has set-up the water table, Esposito said.

“One foot, two foot, three foot forward! Keep those legs moving forward!” he shouted to runners. Patriotic music played in the background as Esposito greeted friends and encouraged racers to keep going.

Back at Shipyard Park, volunteer Gloria Bousquet prepared fresh fruit for runners to snack on after the race.

A Mattapoisett resident, Bousquet said her parents came down from Brockton to help out. Joining her at the table were members of the Tranfaglia family.

“A lot of people came out to help today,” Bousquet said.

Complete race results can be found online at www.racewire.com.