August 24, 2011 - At 9:03 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, the Houston Police Department, in partnership with the Houston Airport System and the Houston Police Officers' Union, will host the annual Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run.

The 5K race will begin with ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. The race will start at 9:03 a.m., the time when the South Tower of New York's World Trade Center was attacked. Runners can register at www.911heroesrun.com and www.active.com. The course will be run entirely at Ellington Airport (11602 Aerospace Drive).

All branches of the U.S. military service will be represented and participating in the 5K at Ellington Field and persons of all levels of fitness are encouraged to join in and run or walk at this event.

"It's a great honor to help with this run," said race director, HPD Captain Gregory Fremin. "We all know someone who has lost a loved one, a family member, or a friend serving in uniform in the last 10 years. The 9/11 Heroes Run gives us a chance to come together as a community to honor the fallen and bring healing to families and friends who still grieve," Captain Fremin said.

This local run is part of 35 runs throughout the nation held by the Travis Manion Foundation. The Travis Manion Foundation expects more than 50,000 Americans - including 15,000 registered runners - to come out across the nation to run, volunteer, donate, cheer and honor the more than 9,000 men and women who have given their lives on 9/11 and since.

1st Lt. Travis Manion, USMC, visited Rescue One in New York City before leaving for his second tour in Iraq and came home with a ball cap for his father that said "9/11 Never Forget." Travis - a 2004 Naval Academy graduate - was killed in combat just a few months later and his family dedicated themselves to honoring the fallen by challenging the living and starting the 9/11 Heroes Run.

Inspired by 1st Lt. Travis Manion's visit with New York City firefighters, the 9/11 Heroes Run started as a small town event in suburban Philadelphia to honor all those who serve our country in uniform. That initial 5K race has grown to more than 35 runs this year, including races in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guam, Italy, England, and a ship in the Persian Gulf.

The 9/11 Heroes Run is generously supported by the GM Foundation, Chevrolet, JWT, Comcast, CBS Radio and many other organizations.