FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — 820 people dressed in red, white and blue as they participated in the 27th annual Freedom Run, held in Fresno every Fourth of July by the Sierra Challenge Express Running Club.

A portion of each runner’s registration fee went to the Central Valley Honor Flight. The organization sends local U.S. veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials of the wars they fought.

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Co-founder and President of C.V. Honor Flight Paul Loeffler estimated Saturday’s sold-out event raised over $10,000.

Each runner had the choice of completing a 2 or 4-mile course at Woodward Park. They received a medal and an iconic American drink – the “Shirley Temple” – upon crossing the finish line.

Hear from a Vietnam War veteran who does the Freedom Run every year, and his appreciation for the large turnout. There were also everyday citizens who traveled from all over the Central Valley to run in the name of freedom.