Freedom Run
Saturday , July 4
6:30 am P Registration P . A . Walsh School
A
Angeline Madriaga from the Patriotic Sing will serenade us with the National Anthem just prior to the 7:45 am start of the Morgan Hill ’ s 4th of July 1 mile run for children 11 years and younger . It will be followed by the 5K run / walk at 8:00 am . This year the course will return to the single loop for the 5K around the large block Peak , Dunne , Monterey and Main . It is a very straightforward course with most of the course tree-lined and relatively flat , giving serious runners a chance for a “ PR ” or robust walk . New for this year the run is part of the grand prix circuit for the Pacific Association of USA Track & Field and custom trophies .
The two runs were designed so parents can run with their children in the one-mile event , peel off just before the finishing line , then go directly to the starting line of the 5k and have your children watch you as you run . What a wonderful way to come together as a family by running together !!
Since the course for the run is the same as for the parade , and since people get settled in their vantage points along the sidewalk hours before the parade , the runners will be cheered on by some of the expected 50,000 spectators , making it unique for a small town run to have a cheering crowd .
These two running events will mark the beginning of the series of events held on July 4th that include the parade and the spectacular end-of-the-day fireworks . This year will be at the soccer complex .
While the one-mile course route has been designed for children only , parents are welcome to run alongside but are not allowed to go through the finish line .
All Children who participate in the onemile run will receive a wrist band as well as a tee shirt and the top three in each age group will receive a medal . The first boy & girl winners of the race will win a trophy and be invited to hop on a vintage car and be part of the parade that follows immediately after the run .
“ We had 28 children participate in the first year in 2005 , 118 last year and we ’ re expecting even more this year ,” Race Director , Charles Weston said .
The 5K walkers and runners will take off at 8:00am . If the dog needs some exercise prior to the parade , have a short leash and we won ’ t charge you extra . “ We ’ ve had an Olympic runner compete in the 5k , and many people take this seriously , but even more people participate for the social aspect ,” Weston said . “ If you don ’ t think you are going to be the winner of the run , try putting on a costume and you might see yourself in the newspaper
The top winners of the 5K / 1-mile children ’ s run will also be invited to ride in a vintage car and be part of the parade that follows after the run .
The 5K run / walk and the children ’ s one-mile run is intended to be fun , get you going for a full day worth of activities and instill some pride in being fit enough to participate .
The race proceeds go directly to the non-profit , family oriented Freedom Fest series of events for the Morgan Hill 4th of July experience . Your fee helps pay for the fireworks ! Registration for the run can be accomplished by downloading the entry form from the Freedom Fest website , MHFreedomFest . com or by registering online at SVEtiming . com . Registration forms can be delivered up before 4:00 pm at Weston Miles Architects located at 17500 Depot Street # 120 in Morgan Hill until June 26th . There are discounts for pre-registration prior to June 29th and further discounts for registering as a group of 2-3 and 3 or more . Make it a family event ! Day of the race there is no discount , giving you an opportunity for a large donation to this wonderful community event .
Day of the race registration is very crowded and the start is about a 10 minute walk from the registration at PA Walsh on Main . Please be at the registration site by 6:15-7:45 am to insure that you will be able to sign up before the race starts . See the Freedom Fest website for parking .
Competitive , you bet . You will compete with runners in the PA / USTFA grand prix circuit which consists of some of the fastest runners in Northern California .
Cool Awards , you bet . Custom awards from the reclaimed wood from the Bay Bridge . Made by local millworkers , Mission Bell .
40 THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP P Morgan Hill Freedom Fest 2015