Pat's Run

Pat's Run is by far, my favorite run because of who it is named after and who it helps!  Pat's Run, which started in 2004, is named after Pat Tillman, who gave up his NFL career and joined the Army after the 9/11 attacks.  Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire on April 22, 2004.  Then President Bush lied to the Tillman family about how Pat was killed.  They came up with this fairy tale that it was enemy fire, while it was clear from the start, it was friendly fire.

The Pat Tillman Foundation hosts Pat's Run in Tempe, Arizona, where the finish line is the 42 yard line at Sun Devil Stadium.  There are about 40,000 runners in Tempe each year!  The Foundation also hosts Shadow Runs all across the country.  There has been a Pat's Run in the Los Angeles area since 2006.  Since 2014 Pat's Run has been at American Junkie in Hermosa Beach.  Pat's Run are 4.2 miles, which represent the number 42, which Pat Tillman wore at Arizona State!

Pat's Run raises money to fund scholarships for Military Scholars! 

Each year Pat's Run has a theme.  The themes are the t-shirt you get for doing Pat's Run.

In 2014 it was Never Stop Honoring.

2015 Run with It!

This year's theme was Live Your Dash.  The theme came from one of Pat's friends, who said you have two dates; the day you were born and the day you die, and there is a dash between those two dates, so Live Your Dash!!!

The Arizona St. Alumni Association of LA hosts Pat's Run.  You register through the Pat Tillman Foundation website.  You do not have to be an ASU Alum to run at Pat's Run!!  Now, the most important thing to remember is that you must register before the deadline to get a t-shirt on race day!!  If you register after the deadline, the t-shirt will be mailed to you.  This has been an issue because people do not read!  T-shirt pick is very quick and easy. 

American Junkie is a bar/restaurant on the Hermosa Beach Pier and serves as the start and finish.  You pick up your t-shirt at American Junkie and after a few announcements the race starts.  There is no timing chip.  You either use your running watch or an app.  This was the first year runners got bibs.  The t-shirt and bibs are exactly like Pat's Run in Tempe. 

In 2014 and 2015 the route went south towards Redondo Beach along the strand.  But, this year the route took us north towards Manhattan Beach.  There stand is open and there are runners, walkers and bikers but it is never really too crowded and you move along fine.

After the race, American Junkie hosts a very good brunch which is included with your race registration.  Eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and some fruit were on the buffet this year.  You can add bottomless mimosa for $10.

As long as I'm in a city where Pat's Run is being hosted I'm doing it!  It honors a great man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.