By James Dietter Newtown Bee
Those looking to stretch their legs, donate to a good cause, and honor the lives and memories of the victims and first responders of the tragedies of 9/11 and 12/14 can sign up for the 9/11 Memorial 5-K Run/Walk and Family Day in Manhattan on April 21. A Sandy Hook Promise team is recruiting athletes of all ability levels to participate in the event.
Team Captain Ellen Bowen is organizing the effort and hopes to enlist at least 26 participants, “one for each life lost.”
Ms Bowen said the team is associated with Sandy Hook Promise, a national grassroots organization based in Newtown formed in response to the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14, and is focused on providing aid and comfort to those immediately affected by the incident and the community in general. It also fosters dialogue on the local and national levels to address gun responsibility, mental health, and school safety.
Ms Bowen feels the venue is an appropriate backdrop to memorialize the victims of 12/14.
“A lot of what the families are going through in Newtown are not that dissimilar to what the families of the victims of 9/11 are going through,” Ms Bowen said.
The run will take place in lower Manhattan. The course travels through, “a historic route passing important places that are part of the 9/11 story,” according to the event’s website.
Registration costs $35 before April 2 for adults and $20 for ages 13 to 17. Children under 12 can enter for free. The registration fee includes a T-shirt and admission to the 9/11 Memorial. All proceeds will support the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.
Those interested in signing up can do so through the event’s website. The Sandy Hook Promise team can be selected from a list of teams on the registration page. “Newtown” is the password to authorize entry into the team.
Ms Bowen plans on sending out an e-mail to all participants to set up a time and meeting place for the team members.
