Competitive 4-mile run to raise money for homeless

Lazarus House is sponsoring a competitive 4-mile run at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, off Dean Street in St. Charles.

The Great Western Freedom 4 is a CARA-certified race on the Fox River Trail Runners circuit. The race is run on a USATF-certified course.

Cost is $20 for preregistered runners and $25 for race day registration. Runners may register at www.signmeup.com. All race proceeds will benefit the Lazarus House community shelter.

"We think the Great Western Freedom 4 benefit run is a great opportunity for area runners to lend their support to the many people in our area who require our services," said Darlene Marcusson, executive director of Lazarus House. "Certainly our financial needs have never been greater as we try to help a growing number of people gain freedom from homelessness."

Real Timing Inc. is the official timer for the race. All runners will receive accurate place and time results within minutes of crossing the finish line. Real Timing Inc. will also post results at www.realtimininc.com. Prize awards will be given to the top five overall men and women finishers. Age group awards will also be distributed.

Event T-shirts will be available for the first 150 preregistered runners. Runners may pick up their T-shirt and registration packet on Race Day after 6:30 a.m. Registration and sponsorship forms are also available at the Lazarus House Web site, www.lazarushouseonline.com.

On-site parking is available and will be directed by park rangers at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles.

Lazarus House is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to provide hospitality, food, safe shelter and support services to persons who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and are connected to the school districts of St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and western rural Kane County. The organization strives to give all those who come to its doors the opportunity for hope and a future.