9/11 Garden of Reflection 5K Fundraiser Sunday

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —The 20th annual 9/11 Garden of Reflection 5K/1M event takes place on Sunday, once again raising money for the Remembrance Fund endowment.

Organizers said that over the years the event has raised more than $225,000 for the fund, which is used to preserve and maintain The Garden of Reflection memorial in perpetuity.

The Garden of Reflection is the official Pennsylvania memorial to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America.

Organizers said the race will start and finish at The Garden of Reflection at 1950 Woodside Road.

Step off time is 9 a.m. Sunday and it will follow a flat and fast course around the memorial and through a local neighborhood. Runners and walkers can also choose an even flatter one-mile course through Memorial Park for those not yet ready to commit to the 5K course, organizers said.

For those out of town or unable to participate locally on Sunday, there is a virtual option where you can run anywhere and anytime that fits your schedule, organizers said.

In the past, virtual participants have run or walked in several states coast to coast. Organizers said there have also been virtual runners participating internationally in Europe, Asia, and South
America.

Ellen Saracini, whose husband Victor was killed when United Airlines flight 175 he piloted was highjacked and flown into the World Trade Center, works tirelessly year-round on the 5K and other events to raise money to support the memorial.

“The race attracts new runners as well as many caring community members every year. The
Garden was created as a meaningful and peaceful place to come, remember and reflect
on all those we lost and loved," Saracini said. "But it's also available in a contemporary
sense for all, regardless of what is happening in one's life or day."

Online registration is now underway and must be completed by noon on Friday, Sept. 9.

On-site registration will be available starting at 8 a.m.

The fee is $35 (pre-registration) and $40 on the day of the race. Each year a new custom-designed T-shirt is produced for that year’s event.

Participants look forward to seeing the new design and adding the shirt to their collection. All those registered by Sept. 1 will receive the new Memorial race shirt. For those registering after September 1, shirts will be provided as available.

Awards will be given to the top three male and female overall winners and the top male and female in each age group category: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-
59, 60-69 and 70 plus.

The awards will be presented to the winners following the race around 9:50 a.m. Sunday.

This year's sponsors include Parx Casino, Janney Montgomery Scott, Team Toyota, Shady Brook Farm, The County of Bucks, as well as several other individual remembrance sponsors.

To register and for more information, please visit www.GOR5K.com.