Great American Relay plans 565-mile 9/11 tribute for America’s 250th

The Great American Relay will hold a seven-day, 565-mile run from the Flight 93 National Memorial to the World Trade Center from Sept. 5-11, 2026. The event will raise money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and mark the 25th anniversary year of the 9/11 attacks during America’s 250th anniversary.

Why it matters: - The relay ties a 9/11 remembrance event to America’s 250th anniversary, giving the run a national commemorative angle beyond athletics. - The event will raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports families of fallen first responders and Gold Star families, adapted homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, and efforts to end veteran homelessness. - Organizers are positioning the relay as a public tribute that invites broad participation, not just competitive runners.

What happened: - The Great American Relay announced its 7th annual 565-mile, seven-day running relay on July 22, 2026. - The race is scheduled for Sept. 5-11, 2026. - The route will start at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, pass the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and finish at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. - The relay will take place in the 25th anniversary year of the 9/11 attacks.

The details: - The relay theme is “Never Forget.” - Participants can run individual legs, join relay teams, or volunteer along the route. - The event is open to runners of all abilities. - The relay is expected to draw runners, firefighters, law enforcement officers, military veterans, Gold Star families, civic leaders, and local communities across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and New York. - Organizers are seeking individual runners, corporate sponsors, volunteer course marshals, community partners, and veteran and first responder organizations. - Registration, sponsorship, volunteer information, and donations are available through the event website. - The event’s media contact is Vince Varallo, Race Director, The Great American Relay.

Between the lines: - The relay blends remembrance, fundraising, and civic participation into one event, which helps broaden its appeal beyond the running community. - The course connects three of the country’s most prominent 9/11 memorial sites, reinforcing the event’s symbolic focus on unity and sacrifice. - By emphasizing accessibility for runners of all abilities, the event lowers the barrier to participation and may help expand volunteer and sponsor interest.

What's next: - Organizers will continue recruiting runners, sponsors, volunteers, and partner organizations ahead of the September event. - The relay will unfold over seven days, with each leg contributing to the tribute and fundraising effort. - Businesses and organizations can support the event through sponsorship or donations.

The bottom line: - The Great American Relay is using a 565-mile run to link 9/11 remembrance with a broader call to service, support for veterans, and national reflection.