In a powerful show of community spirit and commitment to honoring military heroes, nearly 30,000 participants gathered in Tempe, Arizona, for the 22nd Annual Pat’s Run. This event, dedicated to the legacy of Pat Tillman, aims to generate crucial funding for the Pat Tillman Foundation’s scholarship programs for veterans.
This year’s race featured Rob Riggle, a well-known comedian and former Marine Corps officer, as the celebrity race starter. Riggle, embodying the Marine Corps ethos of resilience, completed the entire 4.2-mile course.
“I think the world of Pat Tillman,” Riggle expressed to Tempe Today. “He’s an example of what leadership should look like and does look like.”
Pat Tillman, a former Arizona State University football star and NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals, famously left his lucrative sports career to join the Army following the September 11, 2001, attacks. Tragically, he was killed on April 22, 2004, in Afghanistan due to a friendly fire incident.
“Someone who put service above self, who walked away from millions of dollars to serve his country, ultimately paying the ultimate price,” Riggle remarked about Tillman.
Supporting Veterans Through Education
Established in honor of Tillman, the Pat Tillman Foundation supports veterans, active-duty military members, and their families through scholarships and educational programs.
The race saw participation from over 50 Tillman Scholars. Riggle, who served from 1990 to 2013, including deployments to Afghanistan, praised the foundation’s mission. Despite a demanding military and entertainment career, he upheld his commitment to philanthropy.
Riggle easily completed the race’s 4.2 miles, a tribute to Tillman’s ASU jersey number, emphasizing the race’s dual purpose of honoring Tillman and fundraising for the foundation.
“This event is going to raise a lot of money for the Pat Tillman Foundation, which is going to do wonderful things for our veterans,” Riggle stated. “We need people like that who are willing to step up and be of service to their fellow man, and I think this foundation is doing a great job of making that happen.”
Since its inception in 2005, the event has expanded annually, enabling the foundation to distribute over $40 million in scholarships to more than 900 Tillman Scholars across 160-plus universities.
Jesse Murphy, a veteran and race participant, shared, “For me, it’s about supporting what he stood for, as well as the cadets that are here that are trying to become officers — and hoping that they gain those leadership skills that will help them succeed in life.”
Jeff Devore, another veteran, emphasized the event’s broader impact, echoing Tillman’s belief in serving a greater cause.
“It’s something that you can give back to not only your community but to your country — and an opportunity to serve something higher than yourself,” Devore said.
The exact financial impact of the recent race is pending, but with 30,000 registered runners, it marks the largest turnout in the event’s history.
