Alexandria-Fairfax County-Mount Vernon-Fort Belvoir-Fort Hunt Communities Unite to Honor Fallen Local Hero
On September 9, 2017, the Alexandria-Fairfax County-Mt. Vernon-Fort Hunt communities in conjunction with the Travis Manion Foundation will host a 5K run/walk in the Fairfax County section of Alexandria to unite the communities and remember the sacrifices of the heroes of the September 11th attacks and in the wars since. Now in its ninth year, the TMF 9/11 Heroes Run Race Series occurs in more than 50 locations across the U.S. and abroad. From San Diego and Seattle, to Houston and Boston, the mission of the 9/11 Heroes Run is to “Honor The Fallen, By Challenging The Living.”
The Alexandria 9/11 Heroes Run 5K race will take place at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 8248 Fort Hunt Rd., 22308, on Saturday, Sept 9 at 9am (Opening ceremonies including marching on the colors, national anthem and speeches by several key dignitaries begin at 8:15am).
Proceeds from the race will benefit the Travis Manion Foundation, Links2Freedom Foundation and Operation Renewed Hope Foundation.
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 members of his team during an ambush. Before his final deployment, Travis visited Rescue One in NYC—famous for losing a significant number of firefighters on 9/11—and returned home with a deeper passion about why he was fighting in Iraq. At its heart, the 9/11 Heroes Run is a tribute to Travis’ personal commitment to never forget the heroes of that day.
“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, 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 to honor the fallen. We are looking forward to this exciting race season and uniting people around the world to remember those whose service has given us freedom.”
Last year, more than 50,000 people participated in runs around the world. The Alexandria 9/11 Heroes Run had over 1,500 people turn out in its second year. And the Travis Manion Foundation invested nearly $240,000 nationwide, back into the local race communities to support military, veterans, first responders and their families.
The Alexandria 9/11 Heroes Run/Walk 5K has several aspects in addition to the race, including:
- FREE pancake breakfast will be provided by IHOP immediately following the run.
- FREE coffee courtesy of Starbucks
- Vendor Village with local companies and non-profit organizations
- Alexandria City, Fairfax County Fire Department and Police Department
- Performance by Artspire VA dancers
- Classic car-show courtesy of Alexandria Cars and Coffee
- Participation by Virginia Patriot Guard
- Kids shoot firehose at the target
- Prizes for teams – Fort Hunt Youth Athletic Association is sponsoring a Trophy to organization with most team members!
To learn more and to register for a race, visit www.911heroesrun.org
About Travis Manion Foundation
The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) is named for Travis Manion, a Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant who grew up until age ten in the Mount Vernon area of Northern Virginia, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, became a U.S. Marine and was known for his leadership, character and courage, living by the motto, “If Not Me, Then Who…” Travis was killed by a sniper in Iraq in 2007, while bravely assisting two of his fellow Marines to safety during an ambush. Because of his actions, each of his fellow Marines survived the firefight and Travis was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. The Travis Manion Foundation supports the 9/11 Heroes Run Race Series nationwide each year, provides support to families of the fallen, employment assistance to transitioning veterans and they have the Character Does Matter (CDM) program.
