Air Force Captain Runs 2,977 Miles to Honor Each 9/11 Victim

Hanna Born, an Air Force instructor pilot, survived the September 11 attack on the Pentagon’s daycare center when she was just shy of her third birthday. After being evacuated by soldiers, she later vowed to keep the memory of the 2,977 people who died that day alive by running one mile for each life lost. Since starting the pledge before last year’s anniversary, she has covered close to 1,000 miles and intends to continue the effort over roughly three years, mixing runs with events like Ironman triathlons and the New York City Marathon.

This year she will run in a 34.3 Foundation event that follows a historic route from Long Beach, Long Island to the World Trade Center, honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters killed on 9/11. Born announces each name aloud, documenting the tributes for nearly 30,000 social-media supporters, and raises funds for the 9/11 Legacy Foundation, which educates future generations about the attacks.