Once again, the L.L. Bean 4^th of July 10k is going to give away free running shoes to registered runners.

The first 400 runners will receive a pair of New Balance 1063 running shoes, their premium neutral-cushioning training shoe. It retails for $125, so if this is a shoe that you can wear then it is a great deal for the $18 race registration fee. In order to get the shoes you must arrive on race day to pick up your packet. Along with the shoes, the first 700 runners will receive a technical race shirt.

Registration opens on Tuesday, March 24^th at 8:00 a.m. EDT. The first 400 to register for the run before May 14^th will receive the shoes. They will then have a treat of a course through Freeport on the Fourth of July.

This is the second year that L.L. Bean has offered free shoes and last year there were a lot of happy runners. This year, they have a spiffy new website for the race, which has all of the information that you’ll need if you are interested in running: http://www.llbeanroadrace.com/

If you are going to be in Maine this Summer then I’d definitely recommend this race; it’s well run, there is a fun 1-mile run for the kids afterwards, and they give out a lot of awards that are actually worth using. Last year, I won a duffel bag.