Run for HEROES takes place Saturday
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — May is National Military Appreciation Month in the United States. On Saturday, May 9, Aroostook County’s very own service members, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom, will be honored and funds will be raised on their behalf as part of a collaborative effort between The Summit Project and CompetitorME.
Run for HEROES is a 5K run and walk that will honor the lives of eight veterans from the region who have been killed in action since Sept. 11. 2001. The event will also show support for those who currently serve, have served, and others who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
“It is the sacrifices that our men and women of the U.S. Armed Services make daily that protect our beloved land. The Summit Project is an amazing organization that truly honors Maine’s heroes,” said Jonathan Kelley, CompetitorME owner and race director. “It is important to me, knowing many veterans, that their sacrifices are not forgotten.”
The fallen heroes from northern Maine who will be recognized are: SGT Blair Emery of Lee, SPC Dustin Harris of Patten, SFC Aaron Henderson of Houlton, MSG Robert Horrigan of Limestone, SGT Joel House of Lee, Cpl. Dustin Libby of Presque Isle, SFC Jonathan Lowery of Houlton, and 1st Lt. James Zimmerman of Houlton.
The Summit Project, which is a nationally-recognized, Maine-based 501c3 organization, is a living memorial that pays tribute to fallen service members from Maine who have died since 9/11. The mission of The Summit Project is to honor Maine’s newest war casualties and the faithful spirit of all Mainers. In support of this mission, CompetitorME is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from Run for HEROES to the cause.
“Unlike any project in America, The Summit Project collects stories and stones that uniquely represent the state’s fallen heroes and allows the communities they died for to honor them through action,” said founder Major David Cote.“Volunteers learn about our fallen heroes and then elect to carry memorial stones on tribute treks across Maine and across the world. These memorial stones, carefully chosen by the surviving families to represent their loved ones, combined with the stories of our heroes become the precious cargo of our tribute treks. Together the stones and stories of our fallen are carried by volunteers who ensure their memories remain alive.”
A request to close Main, Academy and North streets for the event was approved by the Presque Isle City Council during Monday night’s meeting. Police Chief Matt Irwin said he was “satisfied we have all the help we can use” to handle the closure and re-routing of traffic.
“As a vet with a son on active duty, it’s my pleasure to make the motion” approving the closure of Main Street for the event, said Councilor Dick Engels, with Councilor Randy Smith seconding and all councilors voting to close the street for this weekend’s race,
Run for HEROES will kick off on Saturday, May 9 at Riverside Park in Presque Isle. The second event of the CompetitorME Distance Race Series, Run for HEROES includes a Kids 1-Mile Fun Run and 5K (3.1 mile) run or walk. Registration on event day is from 7-8 a.m., with the Kids Fun Run beginning at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K beginning at 9 a.m.
Registration day of the event is also done online, so to avoid lines pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Registration can be found by searching “Run for HEROES” at RunSignUp.com.
This is a fully supported running race, with an event athletic shirt (first 100 entrants) and a finisher’s medal for all participants. Entry is $20 per person; children 18 years and younger, $10; Kids 1-Mile Fun Run, $5- with increased pricing on the day of the event.
Volunteers are needed, with two lucky volunteers winning a $50 gift card each. Additionally, CompetitorME is launching Project RUN, a community initiative to collect gently used or new kids sneakers for boys and girls. The sneakers will then be distributed on an “as needed” basis to children in need with the donor receiving a discount coupon code to any upcoming CompetitorME event.
“In developing Run for HEROES, it was important to offer events everyone in our community could participate in. Having two wonderful events in the Kids 1-Mile Fun Run and 5K run/walk, we can all show our support,” said Kelley. “It is my hope that our communities will come together, lining the streets if they are not participating, to show respect. In addition to honoring our own, I am so proud that the proceeds from Run for HEROES stay right here in our state. It isn’t always a given with fundraisers that this happens.”
Run for HEROES is one of the first events in the newly-launched County Fit and Fun Series. The series was created by a coalition of County organizations who put on fitness activities for youth and adults, and who have come together in a collaborative effort to raise awareness and encourage more area residents to take advantage of the many such events offered in northern Maine in the spring, summer and fall.
