Community Corner
Running for 9/11
The Jersey Shore Runners Club sponsored memorial run reflects upon lives lost on 9/11
On Sunday, the Jersey Shore Running Club held its annual 9/11 Memorial Run in Belmar and Spring Lake. About 200 people united together to run, remember, and reflect on the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“The remembrance run is for us to observe and remember all the victims that perished,” said Dave Zurheide, Middletown, past president of the Jersey Shore Runners Club.
Mary Moriarty of Highlands was one of the many remembering and reflecting on a loved one lost on that day— her sister-in-law's brother, Tommy McCann, a New York firefighter.
“He was always very close to my brother-in-law and he was very outgoing,” Moriarty said. “He was a great dad to his two children and was always full of life.”
When she first heard of the attacks, she was working in New York City at the time and was concerned about her brothers who worked downtown. Unclear of the proximity of the attacks and unable to get in touch with them for two hours. It was scary, Moriarty recalled.
“The past 10 years have changed each and everyone of us,” said event organizer, Tim Mahoney of the Jersey Shore Running Club. “We’re a stronger country and a stronger community.”
The silent run (with a few whispers and tears) went through Belmar and Spring Lake, as stops were made along the way where names of those being remembered from 9/11 were called out and reflected upon.
Prior to the race, Sophie Goodfellow of Flemington remembered her friend's father, Tim Hargrave, who worked in a Twin Tower.
“He was one of the people trying to help others get out of the situation and then the building went down on him,” said Goodfellow. “He was a hero in the situation.”
Beth McCrink of Spring Lake and Mike Murphy of Spring Lake Heights, reflected upon the life of their friend, Murphy’s brother, Jimmy Murphy and Ted Brennan, Murphy’s wife’s brother.
“He was one of those guys who could put everyone in a good mood,” said Murphy of his brother.
“He always had a great smile,” recalled McCrink.
Reflecting on Ted Brennan, Murphy recalled how he was always very honest and an upstanding guy.
“I’m very happy people remember this day and the victims. Words ring true that people say— we will never forget,” Moriarty said.
