July 03, 2009 02:22 am An attractive, albeit difficult, choice will be before local runners tomorrow morning. In addition to the return of the popular North Andover July 4 races, the Lawrence Sons of Italy will again be putting on 5K (3.1 mile) and 5-mile races at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Lawrence. In the last two years, participation in the Sons of Italy races has tripled to approximately 300 runners and walkers and race organizers believe that entries are keeping pace with that number. The North Andover 5K and 10K races, meanwhile, traditionally have drawn close to 1,000 runners and walkers. The races, in their 28th year, are back after a three-year hiatus because of construction on and around the course. Both offer options. North Andover's races coincide with a festive July 4 town celebration on the Old Town Common while the Sons of Italy races start and finish at the new Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Sons of Italy race will focus on honoring the armed services and veterans, with local servicemen who have died in action in Iraq and Afghanistan getting special citation. In Lawrence, youth races start at 8 a.m., a walk for nonrunners starts at 8:15 and the 5K and 5-mile road races will start at approximately 8:30 a.m. In North Andover the children's run is set for 8 a.m., the 5K for 8:30 a.m. and the 10K for 8:35 a.m. Late registration will be accepted at both races prior to the guns going off and there will be plenty of prizes and awards for all.
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