Travis Manion Foundation to host annual 9/11 Heroes Run Sept. 29 in Warrenville
The Travis Manion Foundation will host the Warrenville 9/11 Heroes Run 5K race at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at St. James Farm Forest Preserve, 2S541 Winfield Road in Warrenville.
The annual race 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 was organized by Janet K. Zatto, who serves as the local volunteer race director
A portion of the 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.
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 New York City - 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.travismanion.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.