Independence Day festivities in Jim Thorpe start on Sat., July 3, 2010, with a bang as the gun fires for the start of the Fifth Annual Race Street Run. Runners will step off at 8:30 a.m. for the 4-mile race while the 15-kilometer run begins at 8:45 a.m.

"The course is a beautiful mix of road and trail," says Angi O'Hara, race organizer. "It affords runners scenic views of historic Jim Thorpe and the peaceful sights of the former Switchback Gravity Railroad."The course begins at the Carbon County Courthouse, navigates up West Broadway before turning onto the old bus road and continuing on the Switchback trail. The finish line rests at National Historic Landmark of St. Mark's-St. John's Episcopal Church on Race Street.The Race registration fee is $25 and runners may register on the day of the race.For more information about the race call Tom Lager at 570-325-2233 or visit the website at

www.racestreetrun.org.