New North Shore Running Event Marks 9/11 Anniversary

It's hard to ignore the fact that this weekend marks the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. For many, particularly those of us who lost friends or family members, we struggle, year after year, with how to spend the day.

One year, I was fortunately enough to do a fundraiser, a bike ride with my friends Patti and Susan, both of whom lost their husbands on 9/11. But since moving to Chicago, appropriate ways to recognize the date have seemed more elusive.

How would those who died want us to mark the day? Quiet reflection? Just going about our normal lives?

Earlier:

Personally, I know my friend Patrick would want me to open a nice bottle of wine in his memory, preferably one of the red wines my husband and I shared with him and his wife the weekend before 9/11. However, I was hoping for another way to mark the day, something active, but with a sense of purpose.

When I heard about the inaugural Fort2Base run, I knew I'd found my event.

Fort2Base is a race that will start at Fort Sheridan in Highland Park on Sunday morning, Sept. 11, with runners traveling 10 nautical miles north to the Great Lakes Naval Station. For us landlubbers, that's 11.5 miles, almost all of it on a scenic, flat, paved trail.

Those not quite up to the double-digit run can take advantage of the shorter, three nautical mile route (3.4 miles) that begins and ends on the grounds of the Great Lakes Naval Station.

Both courses give members of the public a rare opportunity to see the Naval Station up close and in action. The station will be open for spectators as well, with plenty of postrace, family friendly activities for all.

The official charity of Fort2Base is Team Salute, an organization that provides support to wounded members of the military, veterans and their families. Needless to say, many servicemen and women are expected to participate in the event.

As a slow runner, I'm a little intimidated by that, because I know they're always in pretty darn good shape. But this race isn't about winning, it's about something bigger.

When asked about the significance of the date, race co-director Beth Salinger said, "We are honoring the men and women who perished on 9/11, honoring heroes and those who have been called to serve since 9/11.

"We are thanking them and remembering them, and this gives us an opportunity to do that."

And afterward, even if I'm the slowest runner out there, I'll be sure to go open that bottle of wine.

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