United We Run

With the kickoff of various 9/11 "10th Anniversary" specials this week, I thought it fitting to dedicate today's blog to those affected by 9/11.

While I'm certain this year's 10th Anniversary commemoration will be no less than spectacular, in my view, no greater tributes have taken place than the ones that occured in the running community immediately following 9/11.

In every race – from the Boston Marathon to the New York City Marathon to the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. that year – one thing stood out. It was a simple, yet powerful, message written on the backs of t-shirts in virtually every race I witnessed.

Three simple words: United We Run.

As Runners, we have a community of our own. One that sometimes requires few words. Whether it's the simplest act during a routine run (such times when a polite nod of the head will do), or after an enormous tragedy like 9/11, we have a language all our own.

I recall that the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. went ahead as planned just weeks after the terrorist attacks, despite serious security concerns. And I am told that 25,000 runners fell silent as they ran the stretch of road past the Pentagon. Still missing much of its Western wall (and in its place, a simple large American flag hanging over the space where the exterior wall used to be), its new devastated form caused the crowd to fall silent. As more and more runners flooded around the corner and into view of the burned out Pentagon, a hush fell over the crowd. All you could hear was the pitter-patter of feet on the pavement.

What I found even more striking was the sea of United We Run t-shirts flowing past the Pentagon. So many white shirts bobbing up and down and drifting past, it was almost ghost-like. There was a photo of it posted on the website after the race. I wish I had saved the picture.

Ten years down the line from 9/11, I'm still convinced that a good run is the best way to honor the fallen of 9/11 because running so intimately symbolizes freedom. Freedom to go where you want, when you want, with whomever you want.

On this 10th Anniversary of 9/11, I will start my run for the victims at exactly 8:46a.m., the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Towers. And I will set my stopwatch and pause at 9:02a.m., the moment the second plane hit the other Tower. I will pause again at 9:37a.m. when the third plane hit the Pentagon. And at 10:03a.m. when the plane full of heroes went down in that Pennsylvania field. I will conclude my run at 10:28a.m., the minute that the final World Trade Tower fell. I will use this hour and forty-five minutes to reflect upon what the victims on those flights and in those Towers were going through during this window of time. I encourage you to do the same, or perhaps run one of the many "United We Run" races in your area that benefit the families (simply Google "United We Run" along with your city and state), or honor the victims and their families in whatever way you feel is best.

Over the next two weeks, I'll be honoring 9/11 rescuers and heroes of that day – who, I'm sure you won't be surprised to find out, just happened to be Runners.

9/11. Never Forget.