On August 16, 2025 (Saturday), the annual R4DT (Run for Downtown) running event was held in Middletown, Upper New York State. This was the 19th time that Middletown organized this event, with over a thousand participants and thousands of residents joining in on the festivities. All funds raised from the event will be used for the development of the downtown area in Middletown.
R4DT is a 4-mile running/walking event that has been held every third Saturday of August since 2006. It has attracted runners and walkers each year, contributing over $150,000 towards the ongoing restoration of Middletown’s historic downtown.
The Run 4 Downtown was first organized in 2006, stemming from the desire of the owners of Piccolo Cucina e Vino café to give back to the community. They wanted to show appreciation for the community’s enthusiastic support during the first two years of their café’s operation (back when it was known as Something Sweet Dessert Cafe).
What sets R4DT apart is its competitive nature – female participants start before male participants, and awards are given based on overall rankings without gender distinctions. The start times for each year are determined by the finishing times of the top male and female participants from the previous year. In 2025, the leading advantage for female participants will be 2 minutes and 55 seconds, which is around 50 seconds faster than in 2024.