The annual Freedom Fest Run is set to return July 4 with a couple of twists.
For the first year, the Fun Run will be a sanctioned track and field event, so participants can earn points toward the official Northern California road running circuit.
“It’s another feather in Morgan Hill’s resume of things that are unique to Morgan Hill,” said organizer Charles Weston.
The race, which started in 1998, is already a colorful affair, with people running with their dogs, children in strollers, in costumes and all manner of decoration.
But those who finish in the top three in each age and gender category will get something a little more special than points.
Weston reached out to Mission Bell Architects—who specializes in projects featuring reclaimed wood—to make trophies out of wood from the temporary structure on the Bay Bridge.
“I thought because the run is fun and I always try to do a couple of new things to make it even more interesting and unique,” Weston said. “I’ve been doing it for so long that I know how to run it. I’m making little parts to it. And every year I can make something better.”
The run is a 5k for adults and 1 mile for children 11 and under.
While the bridge was under construction, a temporary structure was built to link the bike/pedestrian pathway to the eastern end of the Bay Bridge, according to a sticker on the bottom of each trophy.
The trophies are 4×4 blocks off wood perched on square blocks about an inch thick. Each one is of different heights depending on what place you finish.
The first place trophies stand about 18 inches high, while the third place trophies top off at just under a foot.
Each one was specially inscribed by Make It Mine Embroidery in Morgan Hill.
“It’s kind of unique,” Weston said. “It’s something if you did get one of these, you wouldn’t just put it away. It would standout.”
Along with the trophies, runners can potentially earn points for the race in a grand prix circuit thanks to the event being sanctioned by USA Track and Field.
“That makes this run the first south of Palo Alto that’s not just someone randomly who puts on a run. It’s got officials and it has rules,” Weston said. “We’ve become a destination for runners along with making it a fun run.”
Anyone can become involved in the grand prix by going to all the sanctioned events within the USATF Pacific Road Racing circuit.
Morgan Hill is the seventh event in a 12-event series, which culminates with the Christmas Relays in San Francisco on Dec. 19.
In order to become an officially sanctioned event, Weston said he had to bring in race officials. The officials ensure the timers are all in sync down to the hundredth of a second.
Weston said he had to certify the course to make sure it was officially a 5-kilometer event. He also had to set up cameras to see who crosses the finish line first.
The run will follow its familiar route, which starts on Peak Avenue just north of Dunne.
It aims to match the parade route, which will follow later in the morning.
The 5K will follow Dunne Avenue east to Monterey Road, then turn north to Main Avenue and west back to Peak. Runners will then follow the same loop back to P.A. Walsh.
Children in the 1-mile run will head in the opposite direction, going north to Main Avenue, then east to Monterey Road and then making a U-turn back to PA Walsh.
The children will kick off at 7:45 a.m. and the adults will start at 8 a.m.
Participants in the 5K may either run or walk.
The cost is $35 per person for the 5K and $15 per child for the 1-mile before June 29. Rates go up after June 29 and registration is available day of the race.
Group rates are also available for all ages depending on the size of the group. All group signups must be done before the race.
Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. the day of the race.
For more information, including how to signup and rules for the event can be found at mhfreedomfest.com/site/freedom-run/race-information/.
