Strides for Independence in Race on the Fourth of July

There is a certain independence in lacing up your running shoes and running a 5K race, wind blowing through your hair.

So it is with the second annual Stars & Stripes 5K run and walk on July 4, starting and finishing at Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord.

The race is presented by the Concord Police Association to benefit its Community Fund — which supports youth, adult and senior programs, athletics and fine arts organizations — and the Monument Crisis Center of Concord.

Registration and packet pickup is from 7 to 8 a.m., a free kids fun run is at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K race is at 8:30. You might want to schedule the pancake breakfast at the Concord/Diablo Rotary Club, too, from 8 to 11 a.m.

To register and for other information, visit this link.

There’s free parking at city municipal parking garages at the plaza.