Inaugural Baltimore 9/11 Heroes Run Kicks-off Oct. 1 At Inner Harbor

BALTIMORE, MD -From the 9/11 Heroes Run & Travis Manion Foundation: Registration is now open for the first-ever Baltimore 9/11 Heroes Run, scheduled for Sunday, October 1, at 9 a.m. at the Inner Harbor.

https://911heroesrunbaltimoremd.itsyourrace.com/register/

Hosted by the Travis Manion Foundation, the Baltimore 9/11 Heroes Run includes a 5K and 1M Family Fun Run that unites the community in remembering the sacrifices of the heroes of the September 11th attacks and in the wars since. Proceeds support the Foundation’s programs assisting veterans and families of fallen service members, and promoting character among today’s youth.

The Run will be dedicated to Baltimore native Petty Officer 1st Class Xavier Martin, who was one of seven U.S. Navy sailors who died June 17 after the USS Fitzgerald destroyer collided with a cargo ship off the coast of Japan.

“This special event brings together the community to honor all those first responders and service members who have lost their lives protecting our country,” said Race Director Pat Cappelaere of Ellicott City. “We are honored to dedicate this inaugural 9/11 Heroes Run in Baltimore to SPC 1st Class Xavier Martin of Halethorpe, who joined the Navy to follow in his dad’s footsteps and recently lost his life serving our country.”

Pat and his wife, Doreen Cappelaere, are parents of Navy Lt. Valerie Cappelaere Delaney, a USNA graduate and Navy fighter pilot who lost her life at the age of 26 during a 2013 training mission. The Cappelaere family actively supports the Travis Manion Foundation in addition to running the Wings for Val Foundation, a non-profit organization named after their daughter to supports and promotes women in all fields, especially in aviation, and to inspire future generations of female leaders.

The 9/11 Heroes Run series was inspired by Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who was killed by an enemy sniper in Iraq in April 2007 as he pulled his wounded comrades to safety. 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 a personal commitment to never forget the heroes of that day.

The 9/11 Heroes Run began as a small gathering in one small community in Pennsylvania in 2007 and now races span over 50 cities in the United States and around the world.

In addition to the Cappelaere family, six other Gold Star families are helping to launch the first 9/11 Heroes Run in Baltimore to honor the memories of their fallen heroes including:

• SGT Ryan Baum, US Army, Aurora CO, 05.18.2007
• 1st LT Matthew R. Davis, USMC, Drexel Hill, PA, 11.07.2014
• LT Valerie Cappelaere Delaney, USN, Ellicott City MD, 03.11.2013
• SO1 (SEAL) Patrick D. Feeks, Edgewater, MD, 08.16.2012
• SPC 1st Class Xavier Martin, USN, Halethorpe MD, 06.20.2017
• CAPT Steve Murphy, USN, Catonsville, MD, 11.04.2014
• LCDR Michael J Phipps, USN, Carbondale, IL, 10.16.2004

The Baltimore 9/11 Heroes Run 5k +1M Fun Run/Walk welcomes runners and walkers of all levels and of all ages. Strollers are also permitted. The run will begin at 561 Light St. at the Inner Harbor and will take participants on a course through the streets of downtown Baltimore.

Puppies in training with the Warrior Canine Connection will join families for the 1M Fun Run/Walk and photos. The Warrior Canine Connection, a partner of the Baltimore 9/11 Heroes Run, provides canine connection therapy to help wounded Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other.

To register for the Baltimore 9/11 Heroes Run as a runner, walker or volunteer, go to: https://911heroesrunbaltimoremd.itsyourrace.com/register/

For more information on the 9/11 Heroes Run, go to: http://www.travismanion.org/faq/

About the Travis Manion Foundation

The Travis Manion Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) that is dedicated to empowering our nation’s veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1st Lt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes live on in the next generation.

Image via Travis Manion Foundation