On Sept. 11, the city of Wildwood held a “Run to Remember” to honor the thousands of people who lost their lives nine years ago in the terrorist attacks.
The gloomy, humid weather seemed to match the events that occurred nine years ago, but participants felt honored to be a part of the event.
“I’ve never run in a 5K before, and I thought this would be a good race to be my first one,” Rockwood Valley Middle School reading specialist Jane Lingafelter said.
The course was 3.1 miles and the starting line was at the Wildwood Town Center. From there, participants ran down Old Manchester, Eatherton Road, the bike trail on Manchester Road and finished back at Wildwood Town Center. At the half-way marker, participants got to run through the fire station located at the corner of Old Manchester and Highway 109.
The cost was $30 per participant if they registered by Sept. 10 and $35 if a participant registered on Sept. 11. The fee paid for each of the participants to receive a t-shirt and a medal. It also helped support the two benefactors of the event, Backstoppers and Pujols Foundation.
According to Brad Shelton, Metro West Fire Department Captain, over 400 people of all ages registered for the run.
One participant ran with a dog alongside him and some babies were pushed along in strollers. One man and his baby son came in fourth place.
“We are all here for the 3,000 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11,” Shelton said before the horn was sounded to start the race.
