On Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon, Key Club will host their third-annual Warrior Run in honor of those who died on 9/11. The event will be held on the back soccer fields, and will include a 2.3-mile run/walk, water events, face painting and a snow cone truck. Tickets can be purchased through the link or at the gate for $10 for adults and $5 for children.
“My favorite memory from Warrior Run is when we first incorporated water games,” senior Emily Nguyen, Key Club President, said. “It gave everyone the chance to have fun and be a kid again, so seeing everyone smiling, laughing and having fun while throwing water balloons really made my heart happy.”
More water events will be added to Warrior Run this year because of their success last year. Key Club also aims to appeal to more of the community by collaborating with Mansfield Kiwanis for the event this year.
“Kiwanis is the adult version of Key Club, and they do so much in the community, as well as for us in terms of support,” Nguyen said. “Having them involved this year is a small addition but an impactful one to us.”
Warrior Run’s participation has grown since 2023 with an increase of community participation from firefighters, police officers, elementary students and Kiwanis. Key Club Adviser Abbigayle Marion has watched this event grow each year.
“I think it’s changed,” Ms. Marion said. “It’s always been about remembrance, but I think it’s moved from being Key Club focused to community focused, and I really love that. It gives people from the community an opportunity to come together for an event.”
Profits from Warrior Run go to the Wounded Warrior Project to support their mission of helping wounded, ill and/or injured service members transition back to duty or civilian life.
“Giving back and serving the community in any way is what we strive to do,” Nguyen said. “Most importantly, though, many don’t realize the impact 9/11 had on our country, so making that known and taking the time to acknowledge the event and people who experienced 9/11 or helped during this scary time is very important to us.”
