More than 35,000 participants came together on the morning of April 23rd outside Sun Devil Stadium. Many took photos decked out in their LIVE YOUR DASH shirts, while others stretched and hydrated for the 4.2-mile run they were about to embark on.
This 4.2-mile run, in memory of a man and his story that impacted so many, has grown from 1,000 participants to a record breaking 35,000 participants since it all started in 2005.
The 12th annual Pat’s Run showcased amateur runners and walkers of all ages, from Arizona and across the country, as well as U-Haul Team Members who paid tribute to Pat Tillman. This year turned out the largest group for Team U-Haul to date with a total of 40 Team members, friends and family members.
Tillman, a former Sun Devil whose athletic ability, training and passion earned him a position as an Arizona Cardinal starting safety, put aside his NFL career to enlist in the U.S. Army after the attacks of 9/11.
Tillman served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before the tragic events of April 22, 2004 in Afghanistan took his life. Shortly after Tillman’s passing, his family started the Pat Tillman Foundation, which provides scholarships to military veterans and their spouses. The Foundation invests in students who embody the principles that Tillman displayed.
Over the years, the Pat Tillman Foundation has joined with companies to raise funds for veteran students who dedicate themselves to the service of others. U-Haul is one of those companies.
As a sponsor of Pat’s Run since 2010, U-Haul has aligned itself with the Pat Tillman Foundation to give back to those who serve our country. U-Haul and its Team Members assist Pat’s Run by providing trucks, storage and boxes in preparation for the event. U-Haul also contributes to the Pat Tillman Foundation by providing necessary in-kind resources for Tillman Scholars to move.
With 35,000 in attendance, Pat’s Run continues to attract more people each year who link their participation with their appreciation for Tillman’s service and career.
Have you participated in a Pat’s Run or Shadow Run? Share with us in the comments
