College Times

Media Credit: Ryan Ruiz

As a Sun Devil and an Arizona Cardinal, Pat Tillman was known for incredible speed in running across the football field to make tackles.

As a soldier in the US Army, he sacrificed a lucrative pro football contract, and ultimately his life, for his country.

Now, more than 15,000 Tillman admirers will sacrifice a Saturday morning and some old-fashioned sweat to run a 4.2 mile course, ending on the very field where Tillman played.

Pat’s Run, an event that is run in both Tempe and Tillman’s original hometown of San Jose, California, will raise thousands of dollars for the Pat Tillman Foundation and its flagship program, ASU’s Leadership Through Action.  The program teaches leadership skills to specially-selected students from ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business and Barrett Honors College.

Runners from all walks of life take part in the event; some cruising at breakneck speed to compete for a top time and others choosing to huff and puff their way to the finish.

And oh what a finish it is. After running the streets of Tempe, the home stretch includes an entrance onto the football field at Sun Devil Stadium and a finish line at the 42-yard line, matching Tillman’s now-retired jersey number.

Pat’s Run, Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480.338.0911, Saturday, April 19, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., $35, visit www.patsrun.com for registration information

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