Firecracker Run

GLADSTONE — The Firecracker Run takes play July 4 at Van Cleve Park.

The one-mile kids’ race starts at 8 a.m., followed by the five-mile run and 2 1/2-mile walk at 8:15.

Entry fee is $20 in advance or $25 on race day for runners. Pre-registration for walkers and runners age 12 and under is $15 prior to race day and $20 on July 4. Race time varies according to age groups.

Participants may register by mailing their entry forms to Gladstone-Rapid River Kiwanis, Post Office Box 22, Gladstone, Mich.

Pre-registered runners can pick up their race materials July 2 from 1-6 p.m. at the Van Cleve Park pavilion.

Mich.-Wis. tennis

open registration

ESCANABA — Registration is now open for the 74th Annual Michigan-Wisconsin Tennis Open which will take place on area tennis courts August 7 and 8.

Entry forms for singles (20 dollars) or doubles (24 dollars per team) can be found online at www.escanaba.org or at the Escanaba Civic Center.

Entry forms must be mailed to the Escanaba Recreation Department, P.O. box 948, Escanaba MI, 49829. Checks must be made payable to Esky Tennis.

The deadline to enter is Friday, July 23. For questions or information, contact Denny Lueneberg at 906-786-2207 or the Civic Center at recreation@escanaba.org or 906-786-4141.

Stricker has 5-shot

lead at SPC

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Steve Stricker increased his lead to five strokes Friday in the Senior Players Championship, following an opening 7-under 63 with a 68 at breezy Firestone.

The 54-year-old U.S. Ryder Cup captain had a 9-under 131 total on the difficult South Course, playing bogey-free for the first two rounds.

“It was a little bit more of a grind today,” Stricker said. “I didn’t make a bogey, but I made a couple good saves for pars that kept the round going. Only two birdies. I didn’t really capitalize on a couple of the good shots that I hit in there today.”

The tournament is the third of the five majors on the PGA Tour Champions schedule. Stricker has six senior victories — two of them major championships — after winning 12 times on the PGA Tour.

Paul Broadhurst was second at 4 under after a 69. The 55-year-old Englishman has five Champions wins — two of them majors — after winning six times on the European Tour.