Wabash Valley fourth of July mile run returns

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Despite a wet morning, some local runners continued a fourth of July tradition in Terre Haute.

The Wabash Valley Road Runners held their annual fourth of July mile run outside Memorial Stadium. Road Runners president Mike Morris says the tradition spans decades and has now reached several generations of runners.

“One of the things about it is I have parents bringing their kids out to these programs now that I helped through the program,” Morris said. “There have been a lot of generations. It seems to be a well-received program, but then we’ve started the kids running program and it’s free to the kids, it’s free for the entry, parents, of course, sign up and run with their kids and it’s a great morning.”

Some are experiencing this race for the first time, but many, like Ian Gadberry, have been running this race their entire lives.

“This was my first race ever,” Gadberry said. “I started doing it when I was three, but growing up I tried to do all of them as I could, but once I got to high school, I only did the ones out of season. This one happens to be out of season, so I’ve been doing it 18 years or so.”

Despite the rain, runners of all ages had an active start to their holiday weekend. Everyone was soaked but completed the race safely.

The event was another successful race during the Road Runners 50th year.

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