20th Annual 4th of July Village Runner 5K and Firecracker Dash

            The final preparations
are being made for the 20th Annual 4th of July Village
Runner 5K and Firecracker Dash in Redondo Beach. To celebrate its 20th
anniversary, and America’s birthday, the 2013 version of the Village Runner 5K
will have some very special features.

            The
post-race festivities will begin with a Red, White, and Blue “Freeze Out” Ice
eating competition sponsored by Rita’s Ice. 
There will also be an
expanded “Red, White, and Blue” Costume Contest, and a Victory Parade of the
previous 20 years men’s and women’s 5K winners. 
All runners and walkers who have competed in all 20 editions of the
event will be recognized on stage with a special ceremony. The Village Runner 4th
of July 5K will also be hosting a two day Health and Fitness Expo at Riviera Village in Redondo Beach. 

            The race takes place on July 4th at
8 a.m., starting and finishing across from Village Runner at Riviera Village in
Redondo Beach, CA. The race has become one of the largest races here in Southern California, with over 4000 runners expected for the start of the race.  To register for the race, visit
villagerunner.com.

            Congressman, Henry Waxman, will
serve as honorary race host and official starter of the 5K. Congressman Waxman,
a Los Angeles native, represents many of the beach communities along with

Beverly Hills and Bel Air. 

            New entry and former LA Kings star,
Daryl Evans, has entered the 5K. Evans, an avid runner, is most well known for
scoring the game-winning goal in the Kings’ “Miracle on Manchester”. Evans is
also the current Kings’ color commentator. Evans will be joined in the field by
L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, who is the leader of largest Sheriff's Department
in the United States, and Redondo Beach Councilman, Jeff Ginsburg.

            Redondo Beach Mayor, Steve Aspel, will welcome runners at the race and will hand out a few awards.
Aspel is a long-time Redondo Beach resident, and previously served two terms as
Councilman.   

            The
Pre-Event Party will begin at noon on July 3rd to coincide with the start of
packet pick-up at Village Runner. Hennessey’s Tavern, H.T. Grill, and Mickey
Finnz in Riviera Village will have food and drink specials going for the
event.  The Post-race Celebration will
begin immediately following the race.  There will be special offers for everyone, including the kids, so the

entire family can enjoy these festivities.      

            Land Rover South Bay has come aboard
as the lead race sponsor and community supporter for the 5K.  theRemedyPharm, Providence Little Company of
Mary Hospital Torrance have joined longtime sponsor, Hennessey’s Tavern as other key supporters of
the Village Runner 4th of July 5K race. The Sound 100.3fm will broadcast live
from the race.  They are a new presenting
media sponsor of the Village Runner 4th of July 5K Run.

             South
Bay Galleria, Woelfel Superior Healthcare, Anthem
Blue Cross, New York Life, and Novella Apartments
have also signed up as a race partners.  Several companies will be providing goodies for the runners
including Fresh Brothers Pizza, Rita’s Italian Ice, Propel Zero, and Arctic
Ice.

            “The course for the event is fast,
flat, and scenic,” states race director Mike Ward. “Runners come here to set
PR's in our event. Put on your most fun 4th of July outfit and
celebrate by running the race and coming to our post-event party,” added Ward. A
portion of the proceeds will benefit local cross schools cross country and
track and field programs.  The Redondo

Beach Firefighters Association and the Redondo Beach Police Department are also
race beneficiaries. All participants will receive a 4th of July Run T-shirt. There will be chip timing, age division awards and cash prizes to the

top three overall male and female runners in the 5K run.

            Packet pick-up, along with the new,
pre-race Expo, will be on July 3rd from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the
Village Runner store in Redondo Beach. -###-