Firefighters Run Cross-Country to Commemorate 9/11

(See video below)

References: MyFoxLA, ABC News Australia

LOS ANGELES – Members of the FDNY are among firefighters on a 31-day run from Los Angeles to New York in remembrance of the 343 fallen firefighters and the other victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. 

The Tour of Duty run started at the Santa Monica Pier Thursday in Los Angeles at 8:46 a.m. on August 11, which is the exact time that the first plane struck the twin towers. 

A team of 15 American and 15 Australian runners will be divided into three teams of 10, running for six hours in relay, then12-hours off. The cycle continues for 24 hours a day until they reach New York. 

Runners will go to Las Vegas and then east to Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Chicago before finishing in New York on Sept. 11. They will travel 4,600 miles. 

Updates will be posted on the FDNY’s Facebook and Twitter sites. Proceeds from the run will be donated to a number of different charities including burns units across Australia and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in the US.

The man behind the tour, Melbourne firefighter Paul Ritchie, has been in the fire service for around 22 years.

“I remember the event very clearly. Being a firefighter, it’s always stuck in my mind,” he told ABC News Online.

“It’s something that is really related to what we do and it was something I really wanted to do with a passion – to commemorate 9/11 and all the emergency services workers that were taken from us.”

“It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge people who serve globally. Every day there are people who give their time so other people can live safer, happier and healthier lives.

The runners will face many physical challenges as they approach New York City.

“We’ve been training for probably 12 to 15 months,” Mr Ritchie said.

“Most of the guys are reasonably fit now, given the conditions and the weather conditions they’ve had to endure during their training.

“I think the heat will be a major factor – when we go across the Nevada desert we are looking at experiencing 50-degree-plus heat, so it’s going to be an interesting experience.”

We invite all firefighters to visit the Firefigters for 9/11 Truth website .