Staff reports 9:18 a.m.
Saturday, October 1, 2016 9:18 am

ROCHESTER - The second annual James Foley Freedom run takes place on Saturday, Oct. 15.

The 5K (approx. 3.1 miles) will begin at the Rochester Fairgrounds at 10 a.m., pass through downtown and then return to the fairgrounds.

Each runner will get a free beer and entry into several raffles from local business.

More than 600 runners have already registered for the race.

Downtown will close to traffic from 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Both Gov. Maggie Hassan and U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte will be among speakers at the event, with Ayotte expected to participate.

Foley, who grew up in Wolfeboro, was slain in Syria by ISIS in August 2014. Before being captured he had been working as a free-lance journalist for Global Post.

Foley's parents still live in Rochester.

Runners can sign up for the race at www.foleyrun.org.

Anyone who wants to sign up on the day of the event is welcome, but they should arrive early on race day.

Race proceeds benefit the James W. Foley Foundation.