Registration Now Open for July 4 Harvard Pilgrim 10K – Family-oriented race weekend includes Kid’s Fun Run on the field at Gillette Stadium, a health & wellness expo, and celebration at Patriot Place

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Registration is now open at www.HarvardPilgrim10k.com for the Harvard Pilgrim 10K, a Monday, July 4, 2011 race/walk that begins at Patriot Place and ends inside Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

This is the second year for the race, which debuted in 2010 with more than 3,500 runners crossing the finish line at midfield to fanfare inside the professional sports stadium.

"This race gives participants a unique opportunity to feel the excitement down on the field inside Gillette after winding through historic Foxborough along a quiet and scenic course, which creates a nice contrast," said Mike St. Laurent of Loco Running, who manages the race in a partnership with Dave McGillivray of DMSE Sports, Inc.

Through July 1, the entry fee is $40 for adults and $25 for those 17 or younger. Also, new for 2011, families can register as teams with prizes for those who sign up the most members. Registration is also now open for the Kid's Fun Run taking place at the stadium on Sunday, July 3.

For more details, visit the race website at www.HarvardPilgrim10k.com

The 10K course starts at Patriot Place and takes runners on flat, charming country roads and quiet neighborhoods along the shores of the Neponset Reservoir and past the town green and Memorial Hall in the center of Foxborough.

After looping back to Patriot Place, runners enter Gillette Stadium, pass under the inflatable helmet and finish at the 50-yard line, where they can see themselves on the stadium's giant, 48-foot wide HD video screen. Cheering friends and family members watch the finish from the stands inside the stadium.

The event concludes with a post-race party and celebration at Patriot Place, one of the region's top shopping, dining and entertainment destinations.

Race organizers this year have added more activities for kids and expanded the Health & Wellness Expo as part of their goal to build a fun, meaningful, must-run Fourth of July weekend for families and runners across New England.

"It's really a race weekend vs. a race day," said McGillivray. "This year the Kid's Fun Run on the field at Gillette Stadium, and an expanded health and wellness expo all happen Sunday, July 3, and then the 10K and post-race celebration at Patriot Place on the Fourth."

Last year's race featured four-time Boston Marathon winner and running icon Bill Rodgers as well as a goal-line marriage proposal. Winners were Jon-Michael Brandt, 19, of Winona, Minn., in 33 minutes, 42 seconds, followed by Keiron Tumbleton, 44, of Hopkinton, Mass. (33:52) and Bernat Olle, 31, of Cambridge, Mass. (34:38).

On the women's side, Lauren Philbrook, 23, of Hopkinton, Mass., won in 37:30, followed by Jennifer Campbell, 27, of Watertown, Mass., (38:31) and Tammie Robie, 35, of Milford, N.H. (38:52).

This year, the Harvard Pilgrim 10K at Patriot Place will raise funds for seven charities: Camp Harbor View of the Boston Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston; the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program; Massachusetts General Hospital; Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Massachusetts and Rhode Island; Special Olympics Massachusetts; Rebuilding Together Boston; Employ + Ability, and Prevent Blindness America.

The race is owned and managed by Professional Race Events, LLC, a collaboration between Mike St. Laurent of Loco Running (www.locorunning.com), and Dave McGillivray of DMSE Sports (www.dmsesports.com), who also directs the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine.