COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (April 16, 2014) – An annual half-marathon held in Colorado Springs on July 4th is growing, with a new name, a title sponsor and a cause worth running for.
The third annual Half on the 4th Half Marathon is now the HuHot Half on the 4th and 5K, sponsored by HuHot Mongolian Grill and supporting The Home Front Cares. This year’s race is once again July 4, starting and finishing at Monument Valley Park. The half-marathon starts at 7 a.m., with the 5K about 20 minutes later. Both courses follow the Greenway Trail along Monument Creek, with aid stations at every mile.
“The course was designed with first-time half-marathoners in mind,” said Clint Knox, race director and owner of Spree Racing. “The route is well shaded, which our runners really appreciate. It’s a fun, healthy, family friendly way to kick off the 4th of July,” said Clint Knox. “With the pool, playground, and basketball courts at the park, families will have plenty to do while mom or dad run their race.”
The event is also a fundraiser for The Home Front Cares, an 11-year-old nonprofit that provides emergency grants to pay essential life expenses like rent and utilities for Colorado veterans and military families.
“Events like this really bring community together, and benefiting The Home Front Cares is a great way to reinforce the importance of the July 4 holiday,” said Jay Warwick, president of Top Tier LLC, which owns and operates five Front Range HuHot Mongolian Grill restaurants, including the two Colorado Springs locations.
The course is flat with a mix of wide cement walkways and hard pack pea gravel. Racers receive a t-shirt and finisher medal. Entry fees are $45 for the half-marathon and $20 for the 5K until May 1. They will be $55 and $25 respectively through May to encourage early registration. To register or for more information, visit www.spreeracing.com/halfon4th