Police
Top Story Archives: September 2007
HISTORY OF THE 9/11 5K MEMORIAL RACE
In June 2002, Captain Matt Smith (left) and Detective Dan Borrelli had just returned from a road race in Buffalo, NY when the Police Chief suggested Arlington should host its own race. “We could do that,” Captain Smith remembers saying.
The origins of the Arlington 9/11 Memorial 5K Race can be traced to that conversation. Three months later, on September 7, 2002, the inaugural race was held. Captain Smith says he lost 10 pounds and plenty of sleep in the frantic days leading up to the race, but in the end all the worrying was unnecessary. The race was more successful than the organizers ever imagined. “We thought if we had 500 people it would be great,” says Captain Smith. In fact, 2600 runners participated, approximately $40,000 was raised for 9/11-related charities and a tradition was born.
Now the race is an annual event eagerly anticipated by competitive and recreational runners alike. About 3,300 people participated in the sixth annual 9/11 run on September 8, 2007. “It really struck a chord with the community and it’s taken off,” says Smith.
To make sure the event goes off without a hitch Captain Smith and Detective Borrelli (right) rely on a dedicated race committee, lots of volunteers, and the generosity of corporate sponsors, including the DoubleTree Hotel, Mr. Days Restaurant, Aramark, Papa John’s Pizza, Juniper Networks and Pacers Running Stores.
Six years after the September 11 attacks, the Memorial 5K Race continues to provide an avenue for businesses and residents to give something back, to remember the victims and to honor the firefighters and police officers who responded that day. The race course takes runners past the repaired west wall of the Pentagon.
“To me,” says Captain Smith, “It’s a way to bring members of the community together to pay their respects, and hopefully also to have a good time. One thing I often hear from first time runners is ‘I’m coming back and I’m going to bring more people next year.’ To see the race have that kind of positive impact on people, that’s the best part.”
For more information about the 9/11 race visit www.arlington911race.com.
