Thousands Run In Hollywood To Honor Fallen First Responders

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Several thousand runners took to the streets in the Hollywood area Sunday for the second annual "Run to Remember -- Los Angeles," half-marathon and 10K races honoring fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders.

Scott Lankford of Simi Valley was the men's winner in the 13.1-mile half- marathon in one hour, nine minutes, 38 seconds. Erika Aklufi of Los Angeles was the women's winner in 1:26:39.

The run that began at The Grove served as a fundraiser for such organizations as Operation Progress Los Angeles, which seeks to help underserved youth become educated, capable, ethical and productive people who will go on to lead, mentor and contribute to society at large, the Sheriff's Youth Foundation, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which provides equipment, training and public outreach programs to the department to supplement city funding, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department Foundation.

Sheriff's Deputy Jenna Underwood-Nunez ran the half-marathon in the full class-A uniform she wears on duty to pay tribute to fellow law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, including sheriff's Sgts. Steve Owen and Al Lopez, and to support Sgt. Jorge Chavez.

Owen was shot and killed while responding to a burglary call in Lancaster Oct. 5. Lopez died of a heart attack on Oct. 24 while on duty in Compton.

Chavez was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and is seeking individuals ages 18 to 44 to register as bone marrow donors in hopes of finding a match for a transplant.

Underwood-Nunez completed the course in 2:16.56.

The run was inspired by Boston's "Run to Remember," which began in 2005.

After years of sending Los Angeles Police Department teams to run in the Boston race, a group of Los Angeles officers partnered with the Boston Police Runners Club to establish "Run to Remember -- Los Angeles," organizers said.

From The Grove, runners headed north to Beverly Boulevard, east to La Brea Avenue, north to Melrose Avenue, east to Western Avenue -- including going into Paramount Studios -- north to Hollywood Boulevard and east to Barnsdall Park, the race's eastern-most point.

The runners then ran west on Hollywood Boulevard, south on Western Avenue, east on Melrose Avenue to near Normandie Avenue, then west on Melrose Avenue, south on La Brea Avenue to just north of Third Street, north on La Brea Avenue and west on Beverly Boulevard.

The run ended in Pan Pacific Park.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the LASD