FREEPORT – For more than a thousand people, there will be a Fourth of July tradition to honor well before the barbecues, parades and fireworks in the afternoon and evening.

The L.L. Bean 4th of July 10K road race will be run for the 34th time at 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Its goal to promote healthy and fun-filled family activities remains the focus, which also will be on display at the Fun Run, a 1-mile event for parents and their children at 9:15 a.m.

All this comes a year after the main race had about 1,200 runners, the best turnout in the race’s history. As of Friday, that number was surpassed by pre-registered runners.

The town of Freeport also benefits from this yearly event. The Casco Bay YMCA is in its 10th year in partnership with L.L. Bean; all proceeds go toward the YMCA’s financial assistance program to assist families that may struggle to stay involved in the community because of their financial situations or backgrounds.

Anne-Marie Brown, senior director at the Casco Bay YMCA, has been involved in the partnership with L.L. Bean ever since they agreed to support one another. She said the partnership has been a success for people who want to participate in YMCA programs but don’t have the funds available.

“With L.L. Bean contributing, they are guaranteeing and committing to never turning anyone away,” Brown said. “As the race grows, what we can give to our members will grow.”

Brown said $7,500 was raised in the first year of the race, and $25,000 to $30,000 is expected this year.

Pat Tarpy of Yarmouth won last year’s men’s race in a race-record 30 minutes, 52 seconds. Just over a month later, he became the first man from Maine to cross the finish line at the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K.

Despite successes in 2010, Tarpy said he doesn’t expect to run the race this year.

“I haven’t been taking running that seriously,” said Tarpy, 29. “I haven’t been training as hard as I was. I’m just taking a break.”

Joan Benoit Samuelson was the women’s winner in 2010 in 38:26.

Samuelson said she’s run too many races since Patriots Day in April and hopes to be running but has no expectations.

Pre-registration was available until Friday, but a limited number of registrations also will be available the day of the race at the Town Park.

Registration will begin at 6 a.m.

Staff Writer Austin Pollack can be contacted at: 791-6356 or at:

[email protected]