At 8am on July 4th the Kevin Kemp one-mile run for children 11
years and younger will begin.
At 8am on July 4th the Kevin Kemp one-mile run for children 11 years and younger will begin.
It will be followed at 8:10am with the start of the ninth Annual Independence Day Inc. (IDI) 5K run/walk.
This year the course will return to the loop for the 5K around the large block of Peak Avenue, Dunne Avenue, Monterey Rooad and Main Avenue.
It is a very straightforward, tree-lined, course. mostly relatively flat giving serious runners a chance for a personal record.
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 may be cheered on by some of the expected 50,000 spectators, making it an exciting event.
These two running events will mark the beginning of the series of events held on July 4th that include the parade, the family festival, and the spectacular fireworks.
Charles Weston is the third director of the IDI 5K Run/Walk and has been the director for five years.
Weston introduced the Kevin Kemp one-mile children’s run two years ago and is pleased with the turnout.
“We had 17 children participate in the first year, 42 last year, and we’re expecting even more this year,” Weston said.
While the one-mile course route has been designed for children only, parents are welcome to run alongside but not allowed to go through the finish line.
All children that participate in the one-mile run will receive a wristband as well as a T-shirt, and the top three in each age group will receive a medal.
The top winner will be invited to ride in a vintage car and be part of the parade that follows immediately after the run.
“We’ve had an Olympic runner compete in the 5K, and many people take the run 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. If you win for the most patriotic runner you too can join the other winners in the vintage n Paul Doherty
Sports editor
Morgan Hill – At 8am on July 4th the Kevin Kemp one-mile run for children 11 years and younger will begin.
It will be followed at 8:10am with the start of the ninth Annual Independence Day Inc. (IDI) 5K run/walk.
This year the course will return to the loop for the 5K around the large block of Peak Avenue, Dunne Avenue, Monterey Rooad and Main Avenue.
It is a very straightforward, tree-lined, course. mostly relatively flat giving serious runners a chance for a personal record.
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 may be cheered on by some of the expected 50,000 spectators, making it an exciting event.
These two running events will mark the beginning of the series of events held on July 4th that include the parade, the family festival, and the spectacular fireworks.
Charles Weston is the third director of the IDI 5K Run/Walk and has been the director for five years.
Weston introduced the Kevin Kemp one-mile children’s run two years ago and is pleased with the turnout.
“We had 17 children participate in the first year, 42 last year, and we’re expecting even more this year,” Weston said.
While the one-mile course route has been designed for children only, parents are welcome to run alongside but not allowed to go through the finish line.
All children that participate in the one-mile run will receive a wristband as well as a T-shirt, and the top three in each age group will receive a medal.
The top winner will be invited to ride in a vintage car and be part of the parade that follows immediately after the run.
“We’ve had an Olympic runner compete in the 5K, and many people take the run 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. If you win for the most patriotic runner you too can join the other winners in the vintage car.”
The 5K run/walk and the Kevin Kemp one-mile children’s run are intended to be fun, as well as instill some pride in being fit enough to participate, Weston said.
“The runs are meant to get you going for a full day worth of activities,” he said.
The race proceeds go directly to the non-profit, family oriented IDI series of events for the Morgan Hill Fourth of July experience. All fees help pay for the parade and the fireworks.
Registration for the run can be accomplished by downloading the entry form from the IDI website, www.MHIDI.com or by picking up an entry form from Weston Miles Architects at 17500 Depot Street.
There are discounts for pre-registration prior to June 29 and further discounts by registering as a group of two-three and three or more.
Day of the race registration is very crowded and the start is about a 10-minute walk away from the registration at PA Walsh on Main St.
Weston asks those who plan on registering on the day of the race to be at the registration site by 6:45-7:00am to insure all will be able to sign up before the race starts at 8:00am.
“If you are not a runner but would like to walk the course, you are definitely welcome to do so but everyone should register,” Weston said. car.”
