Monday, August 22, 2016

Travis Manion Foundation to Host Annual 9/11 Heroes Run in the Capital Region


From our friends at the Travis Manion Foundation...

The Travis Manion Foundation will host the Alexandria 9/11 Heroes Run 5K race and 1 Mile Fun/Run Walk at 8:30 AM on September 10th at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, Virginia, and the Annapolis 9/11 Heroes Run 5K race and 1 Mile Fun/Run Walk at 2 PM on September 11th at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual races will unite the community to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11, as well as to honor our military and first responders that serve our country and our communities. This year’s race in Alexandria is organized by Jim O’Farrell, who serves as the local race director, and the race in Annapolis is organized by General Dave Papak and Natanya Levioff.

Proceeds from the 9/11 Heroes Run will benefit the Travis Manion Foundation, which empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In addition, the Alexandria race location will donate a portion of their race proceeds to the local Fisher House on behalf of the Travis Manion Foundation’s mission to directly assist local community veterans. The 9/11 Heroes Run race series across the country partners with many local non-profit organizations where races are held.


The 9/11 Heroes Run series was inspired by Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who was killed by a sniper in Iraq in April 2007 as he selflessly protected his battalion. Before his final deployment, Travis visited Rescue One in NYC - famous for losing almost all of their men on 9/11 - and returned home with deeper passion about why he was fighting in Iraq. At its heart, the 9/11 Heroes Run is a tribute to a personal commitment to never forget the heroes of that day. In its eighth year, the 9/11 Heroes Run national race series will be held in more than 50 locations around the U.S. and the world.

“Knowing that so many people gave their lives during the 9/11 attacks touched my brother Travis in a way that would forever change him,” said Ryan Manion Borek, President of Travis Manion Foundation. “Six years after 9/11, my brother also gave his life for his country, so every year we gather communities together to run a 5K, not just to honor the fallen, but to continue the legacies of character, leadership, and service that they left behind. We are looking forward to this exciting race season and uniting people around the world to continue those legacies and redefine America’s national character.”

Last year, more than 30,000 people participated in races around the world. The Travis Manion Foundation invested over $151,000 back into the local race communities to support military, veterans, first responders and their families. National sponsors of the events include Comcast NBC Universal, CBS Radio, and J. Walter Thompson Worldwide. To learn more and to register for a race, visit www.911heroesrun.org.

About Travis Manion Foundation:
The Travis Manion Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) that is dedicated to empowering our nation’s veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1st Lt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes live on in the next generation.