Nearly a decade after its launch in Boston, the first annual "Run to Remember – Los Angeles" will happen on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. The inaugural run was announced yesterday at Los Angeles' iconic destination, The Grove, which will serve as a sponsor of the local event and provide the race's starting line. Participants at the morning launch event included Caruso Affiliated Founder & CEO Rick J. Caruso, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Councilmembers David Ryu and Paul Koretz, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Chief of Staff Tom Angel, and Race Director Steve Balfour, among other key city officials.
"The Grove is proud to host Run to Remember and pay tribute to the many first responders who died in service to our communities. We look forward to honoring them and their legacies by raising funds for a wide range of important causes," said Rick J. Caruso, founder & CEO of Caruso Affiliated.
"It is a privilege to host Los Angeles' first Run to Remember. As Mayor, a former City Council member and the son of a prosecutor, I have always found inspiration in the heroism of our police officers, firefighters, and first-responders," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "We honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can be safe, and are grateful for this opportunity to celebrate their memory."
"We are honored to host Southern California's first annual Run to Remember here in Los Angeles as it pays tribute to all law enforcement officers and first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice," stated LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.
"Our nation's first responders put their lives on the line every day in the service and protection of others, so it's only fitting that we take the opportunity to celebrate them at an event such as Run to Remember," said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas. "I am proud to represent the men and women of the LAFD as we gather to remember our fallen."
"Run to Remember" began in Boston in 2005 as a way to recognize law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. After years of sending LAPD teams to run in the Boston race, a group of L.A. officers partnered with the Boston Police Runners Club to establish "Run to Remember – Los Angeles." The west coast event will honor fallen law enforcement officers as well as firefighters and other first responders.
Featuring a half-marathon and five-mile race, "Run to Remember – Los Angeles" will take place less than a month before the Los Angeles Marathon, serving as a warm-up event for many runners. More than 5,000 runners are anticipated, including teams of law enforcement officers from agencies throughout the U.S. Beginning on The Grove Drive at 7:00 a.m., the race will take runners on a route through historic Hollywood, including a one-of-a-kind detour into the Paramount Studios backlot, and will conclude inside Pan Pacific Park at 11:00 a.m. Along with all the amenities of a world-class foot race, special tributes to law enforcement and first responders will take place throughout the event.
"Run to Remember – Los Angeles" will serve as a philanthropic fund-raising platform for participating organizations including Operation Progress Los Angeles, CHP 11-99 Foundation, Sheriff's Youth Foundation and LAFD Foundation, in addition to teams raising funds for their own causes.
Major sponsors include The Grove/Caruso Affiliated, Paramount Studios, Outfront Media, Burn 60 Studios and Re-Imagine. The Los Angeles Times will serve as the official media sponsor for the race. Caruso Affiliated and Paramount Studios are providing in-kind support including hosting the two marquee locations along the race route.
Runners can register for the inaugural "Run to Remember – Los Angeles" by visiting the website www.RuntoRememberLA.org.
