Fleet Feet Huntsville will host “We Run to Remember,” a 3.8-mile community memorial run Friday morning to honor the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001, the first responders and those who continue to serve our communities.
The run will begin at 7:46 a.m. Central Time, corresponding with 8:46 a.m. Eastern Time, the moment the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center 25 years ago.
The 3.8-mile distance symbolically represents the journey up and down both Twin Towers. This provides participants an opportunity to remember the courage, sacrifice and selflessness of the first responders who climbed the towers knowing others needed their help.
“This is not about a finish time or how fast you can run,” said Suzanne Swift of Fleet Feet Huntsville. “It is about remembering. For 3.8 miles, we have the opportunity to think about the people who lost their lives that morning, the first responders who ran toward danger and the families whose lives were forever changed. We want every step to have meaning.”
The course will be marked; however, roads will remain open to traffic. Participants should remain on sidewalks and use caution at all intersections.
Participants are asked to arrive by 7 a.m. for check-in and shirt pickup at Fleet Feet Huntsville on Carl T. Jones Drive. Special memorial bibs will be available, allowing participants to run or walk in honor of an individual who lost their life on September 11, 2001.
At 7:35 a.m., participants will gather for a short memorial ceremony and final instructions for the run. At exactly 7:46 a.m. Central Time, the community will begin the 3.8-mile memorial run.
The first 100 participants who register and attend will receive a commemorative “We Run to Remember – 9/11” shirt.
Runners and walkers of all abilities are invited. The event is intended to bring the Huntsville community together for a morning centered on remembrance, gratitude and respect.
New Public Pool
at Dublin Park
Swimmers will have a new indoor public pool facility in Dublin Park, city leaders announced Wednesday in Madison.
The facility will be about 25,000 square feet and located on Field 5 at the park. It is a partnership between the City of Madison and Madison City Schools. Bob Jones and James Clemens high school swim teams, along with local civic teams, will use it for training and competition. It also will be used for public recreational swimming.
Details about construction, costs or a final design will be announced later.
Dublin Park is a 60-acre facility that includes a gymnasium with upstairs walking track, 25-yard eight-lane heated indoor swimming pool, paved walking trail, nine soccer fields, nine-hole disc golf course, seven tennis courts, community built playground and outdoor pool.
Microthon is Back
Lace up your sneaks and bring a smile for the 8th annual Rocket City Microthon on Sept. 27 at Campus 805.
This fundraiser involves the grueling challenge of keeping your beverage from spilling during the 0.12 trek on the flat, emerald course. Or maybe you’ll set a PR for the distance, all 383 yards. Perhaps if you’re inclined, you can sprint, saunter, sashay or somersault from one side to the other.
It’s from 2-4 p.m. on Butler Green at Campus 805, between Straight to Ale and Yellowhammer Brewing.
Microthon proceeds and donations support the Merrimack Hall creative arts center. Founded in 2008 with a weekly dance class for 10 children with special needs, the center has grown to more than two dozen classes serving hundreds from north Alabama. Classes include visual arts, theatre, dance and music.
Register here and go have a good time.
Race for Justice Results
Megan Allan smoked the 10K course and also captured the 5K women’s title in the Race for Justice on Labor Day at Joe Davis Stadium.
Allan, 42, of Huntsville, was fifth overall in the 5K with her 18:48. She won the 10K by more than two minutes, crossing in 37:13. Christopher Kitson, 30, of Huntsville, was second in 39:35.
Zack Mitarotonda, 23, of Ashburn, Va., won the 5K in 17:20, edging Kalil Dock, 17, of Huntsville, by five seconds.
The event had 93 official 10K finishers and 138 in the 5K. Both races were presented by Jason M. Jones. Proceeds benefit the Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program.
See all of the Race for Justice 5K results here and 10K results here.
Weekend Outlook
If you’re looking for a fun 5K this weekend here are a few:
— Friday evening: Swing Through 5K at Calhoun Community College in Tanner. Register here
— Saturday morning: Taco Trot 5K, Gunterville Rec Center on Sunset Drive. Register here
— Saturday morning: Rails to Recovery 5K, Sparkman Park in Hartselle. Register here
— Saturday morning: Clift Farm Classic 5K, Village Green in Madison. Register here
