Annual 9/11 Heroes Run Set for Sunday

A 5K race Sunday aims to remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 as well as those who’ve fought in wars since the attacks.

The Travis Manion Foundation will host the sixth annual Doylestown 9/11 Heroes Run 5K. The race will be held at Fonthill Park at 2 p.m. 

An opening ceremony will be held before the race at 1 p.m. The day will also include a family-friendly one-mile fun run/walk.

The 9/11 Heroes Run includes a series of races throughout the month of September in 53 locations across U.S. and abroad. 

A portion of the proceeds from the races will benefit the Travis Manion Foundation, which provides transition assistance, education funding and grief support to veterans and survivors of Fallen Heroes.

A portion of the proceeds will stay in the community to support Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County and the Doylestown Fire Company, according to organizers.

The 9/11 Heroes Run series was inspired by Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who was killed by a sniper in April 2007 while serving in Iraq.

“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 Travis' personal commitment to never forget the heroes of that day,” according to an event press release.

“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. This year is our largest number of races and we’re looking forward to uniting people around the world to remember those whose service has given us freedom,” Manion said.

Last year, more than 25,000 runners participated in runs across the country and abroad. The race raised more than $500,000 for the Travis Manion Foundation. The money was invested into the local race communities to support veterans, first responders and their families.

National sponsors of the events include One Team One Fight, Comcast NBC Universal, JWT and West Pharmaceutical Services. Race series sponsors include Johnson & Johnson, Raytheon, Streamlight, Team Jesse Foundation, and Planetside 2.

To learn more and to register for a race, visit www.911heroesrun.org.