VALDOSTA — On Saturday morning, downtown Valdosta was filled with runners and local supporters as the community came together for the fourth annual 9/11 Memorial 5K.
With nearly 400 registrations, the event drew people from across the area to honor the lives lost on September 11th, 2001. Geared-up firefighters and city officials, including City Manager Richard Hardy, laced up to show their support for the cause. All proceeds from the event went to Valor Service Dogs, an organization providing service dogs to veterans and first responders.
This year, Gary Rowen claimed first place with an outstanding time of 18:11, earning cheers from the crowd at the finish line.
Lt. Melissa Roe of the Valdosta Fire Department, who has organized the event since its beginning, said the goal is always to unite the community. “It’s all about coming together,” Roe shared. “We love our community. We love each other, and we remember what happened years ago.”
The event has quickly become a meaningful tradition for Valdosta, blending remembrance with action, and offering a way for the city to honor the past while supporting the needs of today’s heroes.