Spring Break
SJSU athletes join in Pat's run
Kevin Rand
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: News
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Inspired by the service of one of the United States' more celebrated fallen soldiers, about 4,000 men, women and children ran a 4.2 mile race in Pat Tillman's honor and memory on Sunday morning.
Three years and one week after Tillman's death, runners congregated at Leland High School, his alma mater, awaiting the sound of the horn to send them from campus, around the Almaden neighborhood and back to the high school football field's 42-yard line - the same field where Tillman played before he later became no. 42 on the Arizona Cardinals.
Tillman enlisted in the army in May 2002, following the Sept. 11 attacks, instead of signing a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, according to www.msnbc.com.
Tillman enlisted in the Army in May 2002, following the Sept. 11 attacks, instead of signing a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, according to www.msnbc.com.
An 8 a.m. start proved not too early as a sea of men, women and children of all ages, many of whom were clad in shirts embossed with "Pat's Run", the name of the event, took off with looks of delight and determination on their faces.
"This is fantastic," said Jared Schrieber, a director of the Pat Tillman Foundation. "What a way to pay tribute to such an incredible human being."
Schrieber said that $30 paid by each entrant went toward youth leadership groups supported by Tillman's foundation.
Around 21 minutes after the start, the first wave of racers broke the finish line.
One, 52-year-old Christine Kennedy, chose to support Pat's run instead of racing in the prestigious Big Sur Marathon on the same day.
"It was really important," she said. "It's a great honor. It's good giving back to the kids."
Nearly 150 individuals volunteered to help at the run, Schrieber said.
Some would hand out water. Others registered runners, gave participants stretches after the race or collected clips attached to shoes, which indicated a run time that would be later printed and posted online.
Three years and one week after Tillman's death, runners congregated at Leland High School, his alma mater, awaiting the sound of the horn to send them from campus, around the Almaden neighborhood and back to the high school football field's 42-yard line - the same field where Tillman played before he later became no. 42 on the Arizona Cardinals.
Tillman enlisted in the army in May 2002, following the Sept. 11 attacks, instead of signing a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, according to www.msnbc.com.
Tillman enlisted in the Army in May 2002, following the Sept. 11 attacks, instead of signing a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, according to www.msnbc.com.
An 8 a.m. start proved not too early as a sea of men, women and children of all ages, many of whom were clad in shirts embossed with "Pat's Run", the name of the event, took off with looks of delight and determination on their faces.
"This is fantastic," said Jared Schrieber, a director of the Pat Tillman Foundation. "What a way to pay tribute to such an incredible human being."
Schrieber said that $30 paid by each entrant went toward youth leadership groups supported by Tillman's foundation.
Around 21 minutes after the start, the first wave of racers broke the finish line.
One, 52-year-old Christine Kennedy, chose to support Pat's run instead of racing in the prestigious Big Sur Marathon on the same day.
"It was really important," she said. "It's a great honor. It's good giving back to the kids."
Nearly 150 individuals volunteered to help at the run, Schrieber said.
Some would hand out water. Others registered runners, gave participants stretches after the race or collected clips attached to shoes, which indicated a run time that would be later printed and posted online.
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