And then there were 2

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That's right I only have two races left for the year. Tomorrow I will be running the Heroes to Hero 5K. This is a very special race here in South Jersey as it is for a Memorial Scholarship Fund for 3 Fire Fighters who lost their lives on July 4th 2002. There will be about 1000 runners for this 5K (the biggest 5K I have run). And last year it was only my 2nd race ever. What I remember last year is the course is fast and the winner had a time of 14:10. Also the course was laid out so that it passes all 3 of the fire fighters houses (very emotional to say the least). I decided to go for a PR tomorrow so wish me luck with that. Below is from the website about the race.

About the Heroes to Hero Memorial Scholarship 5K Run

The Heroes to Hero 5-K run/walk was first run October 26, 2002. The event was organized in July 2002 by one of the brother firefighters from Gloucester City Fire dept., a Gloucester City Police Officer and a local civic leader. The three avid runners decided to remember and honor the lives and careers of three very brave men. On July 04, 2002. Fire Fighter Thomas Stewart III of the Gloucester City Fire Headquarter, Chief James Sylvester of the Mount Ephraim Volunteer Fire Dept. and Deputy Fire Marshal John West Sr. of the Camden County Fire marshals Office all died tragically while attempting to save the lives of three trapped little girls in a house fire. All six had perished.
The three man committee had quickly grown to five, then seven and presently has 11 members and nearly 200 volunteers who participate on race day! The help doesn't stop there. Along with The Gloucester City and Mt. Ephraim Fire Depts., six other fire depts... send crews to assist with Arial ladder displays along the race route. Volunteers from various civic organizations assist with Food and beverage service, runner's assistance, registration, flagman at corners and EMS first aid. The event is not just a 5-K run. It is a day or remembrance and celebration that begins the night before the race and continues throughout race day with an awards ceremony followed by a block party.
Participants meet in Gloucester City and are bussed to the start line in Mt. Ephraim. [I hear that they have too much fun on those buss rides] From there participants run or walk back to Gloucester City where they left their vehicles. Our motto is "Retracing our Fallen Brothers Footsteps". This is because our race has a very sentimental significance. Our race is a point-to-point race. It begins at the Mt. Ephraim Fire dept. and proceeds to finish at the Gloucester City Fire Dept. passing by the homes of our three fallen heroes and retracing the paths that each one took that night when they got up out of their beds to help someone that they had never even met before and dieing in the act.
The Heroes to Hero 5-K has grown to be one the biggest, fastest, most complete 5-K events in the tri-state area. Our event draws past Olympians, world class runners from Morocco, Russia, Kenya, Trinidad, and Canada. We have had participants from California, Georgia, Oregon and many "closer to home "states. Our record breaking times compare to some of the fastest 5-k street races in the United States. [Men 14:08 Women 16:24]
The Heroes to Hero 5-K is also the USATF Men's Master Championship event. This is essentially a race within our race. Runners from all over New Jersey travel to Gloucester City to participate in this 700 point Championship race.
Our event registered 1000 participants last year and awarded over $8000 in cash and prizes! We have live music and DJ's at six different locations throughout the race and our food is outstanding! [Pasta party, soft pretzels, cakes and crackers, and plenty of beverage for every age].
The proceeds from the Heroes to Hero 5-K are divided in two ways. First, three $1000 scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors from Gloucester City High School, Gloucester Catholic High School and Audubon High School who will be attending college or and accredited school for Fire Science, Nursing, Law, Forensic Science or Communications. The remainder of the proceeds are given to the Camden County Hero Scholarship Club who has committed itself to providing scholarships to the five surviving children of our three fallen hero's
Most importantly, however, is that all of the effort mentioned above is for one reason; to remember to character and bravery of Tommy, Jimmy and John. Three men who made an incredible impact on there profession as well as their community's. As long as the Heroes to Hero Foundation is around, their sacrifice will be remembered.

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Above is an award my Uncle Dan got as being Jersey City's Irish Fire Fighter for the year in 2006. Nothing to do with the race tomorrow just wanted to give Uncle Dan props.

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