Please join us for the inaugural Veterans Recognition 5K Run at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, New York. This will be a chance for military members and their dependents, retired military personnel, Emergency Services Personnel, Civil Servants, and Civilians to run alongside our honored Veterans! The …
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Please join us for the inaugural Veterans Recognition 5K Run at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, New York. This will be a chance for military members and their dependents, retired military personnel, Emergency Services Personnel, Civil Servants, and Civilians to run alongside our honored Veterans! The route on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station which is mostly flat will provide participants an opportunity to run and view some of the KC-135 Refueling Tankers stationed at the Base. The finish line will feature some static military vehicles, and a giant American Flag as the backdrop which will provide spectacular photo opportunities. Each participant will receive a commemorative coin and event shirt. Awards for the various age groups to be presented by Veterans representing the brave Americans that fought for our freedom in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
The Opening Ceremony will feature a Joint Military Color Guard and a live performance of the National Anthem. The race will start promptly at 11:00am in front of the Community Activity Center using a brand new USATF Course #NY19021JJ certified by Jeff John from BuffaloRunners.com. The finish line will feature static military vehicles, and a giant American flag as the backdrop.
Each 5K participant will receive an official Veterans Recognition Run custom race bib with RFID tag along with a food & beverage voucher for a delicious meal provided by the Brickyard Brewing Company. In addition, all participants will receive an official race shirt along with a spectacular custom collector coin as a keepsake.
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Inaugural Veterans Recognition
This race is both challenging and humbling for walkers and runners. The mostly flat, paved USTAF-Certified course weaves near the flightline, near C-130s and KC-135s, and then through the base, … MORE
This race is both challenging and humbling for walkers and runners.
The mostly flat, paved USTAF-Certified course weaves near the flightline, near C-130s and KC-135s, and then through the base, past numerous active structures and vehicles of all kinds, so scenery is never an issue. This year’s race sported numerous participating military members, veterans and ROTC cadets whose performance left people like myself humbled. Participants had that extra challenge of walking or running into a headwind for two miles and wind gusts that made the race just that much more of a challenge.
Pre-race planning was flawless as evidenced by the list at the gate where participants could check in with their driver’s licenses.
Runners/walkers were pooled at the fairly new base heritage center to keep warm and socialize with other participants. You were made to feel very welcome by senior commanders and then launched amid the air horns of fire trucks. Base personnel followed the runners closely and were on hand to assist with any medical issues.
The finish line with a gigantic unfurled American flag, suspended from the ladders of same fire trucks, just added to the special significance of this race and weekend.
Post race ceremonies, complete with recognition of the top performers and veterans, and the swag made for a very rewarding day.