USO OF MISSOURI NAMED OFFICIAL CHARITY OF 2015 FREEDOM 4 MILER & FAMILY FUN RUN PRESENTED BY SCHNUCKS

ST. LOUIS – June 25, 2015 – On Saturday, July 4, St. Louisans and visitors from across the United States will run through Forest Park during the fourth annual Freedom 4 Miler and Family Fun Run presented by Schnucks.  A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the USO of Missouri, a private non-profit organization, whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare, and recreation-type services to military personnel and their families.

“The USO of Missouri is extremely honored to partner with the St. Louis Sports Commission and Schnucks for the fourth annual Freedom 4 Miler & Family Fun Run,” said Katy O’Connor, executive director of the USO of Missouri.  “We are excited that these two great organizations are helping support our troops and their families!”


Race participants will see members of the armed forces and veterans everywhere the race touches.  Military personnel will start the race in a Humvee, run the 4-miler in cadence, be positioned as volunteers along the course and distribute medals at the finish line.

“We are very excited about our partnership with the USO of Missouri,” said Sports Commission Vice President of Events Chris Roseman.  “We encourage everyone to participate in the Freedom 4 Miler or Family Fun Run and stay for the day of fourth of July activities.”

The Freedom 4 Miler starts the third day of Fair Saint Louis activities and takes place prior to the VP Parade.  The annual run is organized by the St. Louis Sports Commission in conjunction with the VP Parade and Fair Saint Louis.  Highlights of the most patriotic race in St. Louis include: dog tag finisher medals, tech t-shirts (Freedom 4 Miler), a most patriotic costume contest, a unit of soldiers running in cadence, an Armed Forces Division, and much more.

REGISTRATION: Participants can register online at https://stlsports.org/Freedom4Miler.  The price for each race is listed below:

Freedom 4 Miler
$30 through July 1
$35 July 2 through race day

Family Fun Run
$15 through race day

2015 FREEDOM 4 MILER COURSE: This year’s Freedom 4 Miler race starts at The Boathouse in Forest Park and takes runners up and around the World’s Fair Pavilion, past The Muny and through the northeast section of the park.  With a scenic stretch along Lindell Boulevard, runners re-enter the park at the Missouri History Museum and loop around Pagoda Circle before finishing back in front of The Boathouse.  To view the Freedom 4 Miler course map and the one-mile Family Fun Run map, visit https://stlsports.org/Freedom4Miler.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
6 a.m.                   Freedom 4 Miler Registration / Packet Pick-up Opens
7 a.m.                   Freedom 4 Miler presented by Schnucks
8 a.m.                   Freedom 4 Miler Awards (main stage at The Boathouse)
8:15 a.m.             Costume Contest Awards (main stage at The Boathouse)
8:30 a.m.             One-Mile Family Fun Run presented by Schnucks
9:45 a.m.             133rd Annual Veiled Prophet Parade
Noon                    Fair Saint Louis opens for the day

COSTUME CONTEST: Participants are encouraged to dress up in their favorite red, white and blue patriotic costume.  Prizes will be awarded to the most patriotic adult, child and family.  Costume contest participants must be registered for either the Freedom 4 Miler or Family Fun Run to be eligible to win prizes.  Organizers encourage originality, creativity and lots of fun, but please remember this is a family affair.

For more information on the 2015 Freedom 4 Miler & Family Fun Run presented by Schnucks, visit https://stlsports.org/Freedom4Miler.

For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-345-5121
bshulman@stlsports.org