Pat Tillman’s Run goes ‘virtual’ due to coronavirus concerns

The 4.2-mile Pat’s Run will not end inside Sun Devil Stadium this year.

The Pat Tillman Foundation announced Saturday that the April 18 annual group run has been canceled due to concerns of hosting almost 30,000 people on the streets of Tempe.

Instead, participants are encouraged to keep the event going by running it on their own and connecting with the community through social media.

In a letter sent to runners, foundation CEO Dan Futrell encouraged participants to take Pat’s Run “virtual” and run the race individually.

“While we are deeply disappointed that we will not be able to host Pat’s Run in Tempe next month, the mission will go on,” Futrell said in the statement. “I am happy to announce that Pat’s Run 2020 is going virtual.”

In the past, some participants have traveled from across the country to participate in the run that ends in the football stadium Tillman played.

Runners are encouraged this year to post to social media and map their route on Strava to connect with the Tillman community as they run.

Tillman was a linebacker who played for Arizona State and the Arizona Cardinals before leaving football in 2002 to serve the Army Rangers. He was killed in action on April 22, 2004.

The race supports more than 600 Tillman scholars, a group made of military members, veterans and spouses. This was scheduled to be the 16th Pat’s Run.

Futrell gave the option to donate to the Tillman Foundation if the 4.2-mile solo run doesn’t appeal to would-be racers.

By joining us in this virtual run through participation or donation, you are supporting our community of more than 600 Tillman Scholars, making their transition to their second act of service in healthcare, business, law, policy, education, and the humanities.

Registered participants will receive a Pat’s Run 2020 medal and t-shirt.

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