San Jose, Calif., (May 7, 2008) – The third annual Pat's Run in San Jose drew impressive attendance on Saturday morning when approximately 6,000 people came out to celebrate the life of Pat Tillman. Race organizers said that participants, kids and hundreds of volunteers came out to pay tribute to the late football star and Army Ranger.
"It is overwhelming to see all the participants and hundreds of volunteers who show their support for the Pat Tillman Foundation and keeping Pat's memory alive," said Pat's Run Race Director, Erin Dando. "People continue to seek something positive in the world to grasp onto. It is great knowing that so many have found the memory of Pat Tillman as a positive inspiration in their own lives."
The 4.2 mile run / walk finished on the 42-yardline of Pat Tillman Stadium at Leland High SChool, where Tillman wore jersey number "42." Participants included local fire fighters, San Jose Sharks families, Oakland Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin and members of the San Jose State football team.
Pat's Run is one of the primary fundraising events for the Pat Tillman Foundation, which was created after the untimely death of former ASU and Arizona Cardinal's football star. Friends and family created the Foundation with the same integrity and passion that Tillman embodied throughout his life. Today, the Foundation helps support the Tillman Scholars, empowering them to make a positive impact in our society.
Participants enjoyed an extensive expo, live entertainment, food vendors and a free 0.42 mile Kids Run for kids 12 years old and younger.
The event raises funds for The Pat Tillman Foundation's flagship program, Leadership Through Action™, which develops the leadership skills of carefully selected "Tillman Scholars." The program helps guide the students to identify their passions and develop concrete solutions to society's problems. Money from the San Jose event will directly benefit students from the San Jose area who are accepted into the program.
Almost 15,000 runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators in Tempe, AZ and more than 5,000 runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators in San Jose, CA participated in Pat's Run, celebrating the life of American hero Pat Tillman. The 4.2 mile run / walk broke the attendance records, topping the total 14,000 participants last year.
The events also featured a .42 mile Kids Run, which had 1,000 participants in Tempe and 500 in San Jose.
"This is a tremendous statement about Pat's inspiration," said Alex Garwood, Executive Director of the Pat Tillman Foundation. "Participants can feel great on several levels -- because they celebrated Pat's life and took time to think about him, because they took action and did something good for themselves, and at the same time they raised funds to support youth leadership programs to grow even more community leaders. It's a win-win-win."
Proceeds benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation and it's youth leadership programs which promote positive action to benefit the community. Funds raised in both the Tempe Pat's Run and San Jose Pat's Run benefit the Leadership Through Action™ program at ASU.