7th annual Pat's Run
Early participants enter Sun Devil Stadium to finish the 7th Annual Pat’s Run. Thousands of people took to the streets of Tempe on April 16 to honor the legacy of ASU alumnus Pat Tillman, who died serving his country in Afghanistan.
The light rail was a popular way for participants to get to the race.
Stephanie Bender pins a race number on her 4-year-old daughter, Kaya Bender, prior to the start of Pat's Run. The Benders are from Grand Rapids, MI, and were visiting their uncle in the Valley. Kaya and her uncle competed in the .42-mile run and Stephanie Bendear participated in the full 4.2 mile course.
Steven Borquez, left, and his brother, Peter Borquez, wait for Pat's Run to start. Steven was in Iraq last year with the 2nd Infantry and Peter is in the Arizona Army National Guard. Both participated in the run carrying fifty pound packs.
An estimated 28,000 people participated in the run this year.
The lead group of runners leave the starting line on Packard Drive.
Pat Tillman’s ASU jersey number, 42, was evident everywhere.
While some runners show up to just participate, for others it is race. The winner this year was Jeremy Zarins.
Runners pass the 4-mile mark, near the south entrance of Sun Devil Stadium. The event ends on the 42-yard line of the stadium, symbolic of Tillman’s no. 42 ASU jersey.
Runners emerge from the south tunnel into Sun Devil Stadium.
Tight end Trevor Kohl and other members of the ASU football team were on hand to encourage the participants as they neared the finish line.
Sparky and participants sprint to the finish line.
The bulk of the runners reached the finish line about an hour after the run started. In addition to 21 similar events held around the country that were coordinated by chapters of the ASU Alumni Association, there were also six troop runs scheduled in Turkey and Afghanistan.