Runners to show support for veterans

September 6, 2024

Runners to show support for veterans

SVSU will again host 9/11 Heroes Run

Looping through and around the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, runners, walkers and ruckers of all ages will honor first responder and military heroes in the annual 9/11 Heroes Run, presented by USAA Small Business Insurance. The race will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15 to benefit the Travis Manion Foundationand the Saginaw County Veterans Memorial Plaza.

"This is SVSU's 11^th year hosting the 9/11 Heroes Run," said Jason Swackhamer, an SVSU social media and digital content specialist and one of the coordinators of the Saginaw event. "We at SVSU have deep respect for military and first-responder service personnel and their families. This race serves as an important reminder of the sacrifices they make every day. We are proud to support the Travis Manion Foundation's work to help our military veterans and families of the fallen."

The event begins in the parking lot of SVSU's Ryder Center. Check-in and late registration begin at 8:30, followed by a remembrance ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The 5K run/walk, on SVSU's certified route, begins at 10 a.m. The route runs through the center of campus to the ponds near Bay Rd., then loops around campus along the non-motorized pathway, finishing at the Ryder Center.

Participants can also register for the GORUCK division of the race. In rucking, the participants wear a weighted bag on their back during the 5K.

The 9/11 Heroes Run is a professionally timed event, with finisher medals awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age bracket of the 5K run.

Registration fees range from $33-$41. Participants can register online until noon on Saturday, Sept. 14, or beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the race. Participants who are active in the military, members of a first responder agency or current SVSU students receive discounted online pre-registration. Family package deals also are available.

Volunteer opportunities are available.

A portion of the Saginaw 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 other portion of the proceeds will remain in the local community to support the Saginaw County Veterans Memorial Plaza.

The 9/11 Heroes Run 5K 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 serving 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 17th year, the 9/11 Heroes Run national race series will be held in more than 90 communities around the U.S. and the world.

The Kochville and Saginaw Township fire departments and Michigan State Police will support the run again this year. Several SVSU offices are collaborating to organize this year's annual run including Military Student Affairs, Campus Recreation, Alumni Relations and University Communications.

Questions can be directed via email to [email protected] or through the event's Facebook page (facebook.com/911HeroesRunSaginaw).

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