Fourth of July celebrations began bright and early with the 14th annual J.P. Blecksmith 5K Memorial Run. The event began in 2005 to commemorate Blecksmith, a Marine who was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Phantom Fury. Blecksmith was a local resident who attended Flintridge Prep and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003. Nearly 850 people ran, jogged or walked the route. Students from Flintridge Prep’s Athletic Council on Leadership were on hand to assist with the race as well as participate in it.
