FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Running
3000 Minutes Nonstop to Honor the Victims of 9/11
Overland Park, Kansas - August 22,
2011 – Kansas City area distance runner, Greg Vaughn,
will be spending the entire September 11th weekend on his feet – literally. Vaughn
will honor all 3000 victims of 9/11 one minute at a time by running nonstop for
more than 50 hours, or, 3000 minutes, all while carrying the American flag.
Vaughn also hopes to bring awareness to the City of Overland Park, Kansas’
efforts to build a 9/11 memorial on the grounds of the city’s Fire Training Center. The center recently received a
large piece of steel from the collapsed World Trade Center that will become a monument at the
memorial site.
“The attacks of September 11th forever changed America. Not only did we lose nearly 3000
victims in the attacks, we’ve also lost over 6000 soldiers who answered the
call of duty.”, said Vaughn. “To me, giving every last ounce of my energy
running an event like this represents the most effort I can possibly give to
see that we remember what was lost 10 years ago on that tragic day, and in the
10 years following 9/11.”
Vaughn’s run will begin at noon on Friday, September 9th at the Overland Park Fire Training Center. He will then run to various parts
of the city during the daylight hours on Friday and Saturday, and then run
throughout the nighttime hours on a closed course at The Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe, Kansas. On Sunday, September 11th, the
final 9-hours and 11-minutes of Vaughn’s run will coincide with the annual
Patriots’ Run which goes from noon until 9:11pm and is also being held at the mall.
Vaughn will be joined by nearly 3000 soldiers in Afghanistan who will simultaneously be doing an
abbreviated Patriots’ Run at several military bases. Although distance isn’t
the goal for this run, Vaughn plans to cover nearly 200 miles depending on the
weather and other factors.
In addition to his 50 hour run time, Vaughn added a few extra hours for things
like changing clothes and shoes, grabbing a quick meal and shower, and draining
blisters. The extra hours will ensure that any time spent off his feet will not
be included in the 3000 minute total. “This will be a huge test for me mentally”,
added Vaughn. “I completed a 24 hour run last Memorial Day weekend to honor 24
fallen solders from the Kansas City area.” “I never took my mind off of
the mission ahead of me, and I have no doubt that I can overcome all obstacles
on this 10th anniversary of the attacks to ensure that all of us remember the
victims of 9/11.”
Greg Vaughn, 42, of Overland Park, Kansas participates in running events
across the country carrying the American flag to honor fallen soldiers and
first responders who have given their lives to the service of America. He runs on behalf of his non-profit
organization, “Strides of Pride, Inc.” which also promotes events to honor and
remember our fallen American heroes. For additional information, please visit
www.stridesofpride.org. For more information on the annual Patriots’ Run,
please visit www.patriotsrun.us. For additional details about Overland Park’s 9/11 Memorial or to make a
donation, please visit The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park at
www.artsandrec-op.org.
Contact:
Greg Vaughn
816-668-6527
run@stridesofpride.org
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