Runners raise funds for veterans, honor 9/11 victims

  

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Thousands of area runners raised money Saturday for veterans and honored victims of the September 11 attacks.

About 3,000 runners took part in the Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run at Ellington Airport. This year's theme was "Honor the Fallen by Challenging the Living."

In addition to Houston, the run was held in Iraq, Afghanistan and 21 states across the U.S.

The Travis Manion Foundation works with veterans and the families of fallen service members. The foundation was named for U.S. Marines First Lieutenant Travis Manion who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

"It's grown into this national organization that's able to honor help and serve our veterans first responders and military community," James Brobyn, executive director, said.

Organizers of the event say the primary goal is to pay tribute to the thousands who were killed that day and the millions of men and women who have helped keep America safe in the 11 years that have followed -- a group that includes military personnel, police officers and firefighters.

"We are proud to be involved with this terrific event," Ellington General Manager Brian Rinehart said. "Ellington Airport already has a strong working relationship with the U.S. military and the Houston Police and Fire departments, so it makes perfect sense for us to be involved."

Half the proceeds from the local run go to the Travis Manion Foundation. The other half will be split between Assist the Officer, which helps Houston officers injured in the line of duty, and Team Red, White and Blue, which supports wounded veterans.

Get more Local »

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•