Great Western Freedom 4 Run/Walk to aid Lazarus House
Bring the family out Thursday, July 4, for the 13th annual Great Western Freedom 4 Run & Walk at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles.
Registration is open for runners and walkers who wish to participate at lazarushouse.net/great-western-freedom-4/ until Sunday, June 30, for $30 per runner and $20 per walker.
Packet pickup starts at 6:30 a.m. for runners and walkers, with the race/walk starting at 8 a.m.
The run is a competitive 4-mile race on a USATF certified course and is part of the Fox River Trail Runners Circuit. The 2-mile walk is suited for the whole family and will start immediately after the race.
Event day registration is $35 for runners and $25 for walkers. Runner awards will be issued overall and by age groups. New this year, Best Dress Patriotic Awards for runners, walkers, walking teams and Kids Dash.
The Kids Dash for children age 12 or younger is hosted by Hosanna! Lutheran Church and Preschool.
No preregistration is offered for the dashes, just show up on July 4 and register at the Hosanna tent for $5 per child.
Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. and will run through 8:45 a.m. for the children's event.
Children will enjoy a surprise visitor from Otter Cove Nature Center and there are activities prior to the dashes. Dashes start at approximately 9:15 a.m. Participation prizes and awards are included.
Thrivent Financial T-shirts will be handed out to the first 25 registered children.
Whether you compete in the run, join the walk or cheer on the children in the Kids Dash, it's bound to be an energizing morning with competition, vendors, ice cream, and Americana spirit.
Nicole Cook will once again sing the national anthem after Boy Scout Troop 13 presents the colors prior to the race start.
All participants are encouraged to help their neighbors in need by collecting pledges. Pledge forms are available with a link from the registration Web page.
All proceeds benefit Lazarus House, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit Emergency Shelter, Center for Transitional Living and Outreach Program for men, women and children who are homeless or in crisis from Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles or western rural Kane County.
More information can be found online at www.lazarushouse.net in the events section or by calling Darlene at (630) 587-2144.