Breaking: 50+ runners from 20+ states relay custom 9/11 flag 485 miles from Shanksville through DC to Ground Zero for memorial remembrance run
The Californer/10325944

NEW YORK - Californer -- Benefits Tunnel to Towers Foundation

All-volunteer team completes 450 miles of running of 485 at 2:45 pm EST in NJ

20+ municipalities across the US plus all 6 branches of the military: See below for complete list

Police escorts, salutes from multiple fire and police stations, hundreds of spectators, and dozens of local supporting businesses have turned out along the 485-mile route

Several runners clocking a marathon each day over 5 days – exact routing available

Days 1 & 2: Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania through Maryland, Virginia, and into Washington DC

Days 3 & 4 & 5: From Washington DC via MD, PA, NJ into NYC

Day 6: Team of 24 flag-carrying runners – wearing red, white & blue – arrives at Ground Zero

Runners will arrive at Ground Zero in time for the commemorative ceremonies marking the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington DC as well as the Flight 93 crash site in Pennsylvania.

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"While many of our runners are military and veterans who were called to serve because of 9/11, other runners and support crew are serving as teachers and cross the spectrum of careers and lives. The entire club is committed to honoring the sacrifices made by so many first responders on Sept. 11, 2001," said Old Town Run Club 9/11 Run co-organizer Eric Danesi.

"Every day, families all across the country are sending their loved ones into great peril," said OTRC club and run co-organizer Navy Capt. Ono Margioni, who is currently assigned to the Pentagon with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

"Which is why we chose Tunnel to Towers as our charity partner — not only because the Siller family lost a son and father when off-duty firefighter Steven ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Towers on 9/11 — but also because T2T is dedicated to supporting future families — just as they have paid off mortgages and student loans for families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty."

• Contribute via the Old Town Run Club Alexandria VA (501c3) link dogood.t2t.org/OldTownRunClub25 – or mention the OTRC when donating to Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Runners — many of whom have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and were motivated to serve after the 9/11 attacks — hail from:

1. Greater Washington DC area (many runners)
2. Paducah KY
3. San Pedro Calif.
4. Payette Idaho
5. Danielson Conn.
6. Los Angeles
7. Hawaii
8. Tampa Florida
9. Port Chester New York
10. Miami Florida
11. Staten Island NY
12. Raleigh NC
13. Dale City, VA
14. Pittsburgh PA
15. Albany NY
16. Lakewood Colorado
17. Phoenix Arizona
18. Charleston SC
19. Dekalb Illinois
20. Tinley Park Il.
21. Lafayette PA
22. Plymouth MA
23. Newport RI
24. Boston MA

About Tunnel to Towers Foundation

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Founded in memory of 9/11 fallen firefighter Stephen Siller, Tunnel to Towers honors first responders and military heroes who make extraordinary sacrifices. The foundation provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and builds smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans. http://dogood.t2t.org/OldTownRunClub25

About Old Town Run Club (OTRC)

The Old Town Run Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, comprises runners from diverse backgrounds who share a love of community, challenge, and giving back. Through running events, fundraisers, and endurance challenges, the Alexandria VA-based OTRC is dedicated to honoring service, sacrifice, and legacy. Learn more at Oldtownrunclub.org.