The Fourth of July kicked off early in Harlem with the 2023 Freedom Run.
On Tuesday morning, a large group of people met at Harlem City Park to participate in the second Freedom Run organized by Tommy Stolte. Participants, decked in their red, white and blue gear, ran, jogged or walked the three-mile course while carrying American Flags.
“It’s just something that I’ve thought of last year before the Fourth of July that I thought would be fun, turned out to be pretty cool,” Stolte said. “Trying to keep doing it, trying to keep growing it.”
Last year the run was approximately two-and-one-half miles and just a run, but this year there were some changes. Stolte said this year the route was a little longer at three miles, and at the turn around point at Attic Treasures, participants could do 17 push-ups and 76 squats in honor of 1776 before heading to the finish line.
“I just love the Fourth of July, and I love running and working out, so I thought there’s probably other crazy people like me, there’s a few,” Stolte said of the event.
Gwen Hardy was one of the people who came out for the run.
“I was going to work out anyway, so I figured might as well come and support my fellow workout person,” Hardy said.
Hardy was going to be wearing a 10-pound vest and was looking forward to challenging herself.
“I’m just grateful to have the freedom to be able to do stuff like this,” Hardy said.
Harlem Mayor Roxanne Whitaker was also in attendance Tuesday morning.
“Just to support this effort and also to put remembrance on what today represents,” Whitaker said of why she wanted to participate.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
