Why I’m Here: Alison Clardy

I am Alison Clardy, a former and future athlete for The 9.11 Promise Run – a relay from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia to Ground Zero in New York City. I am also a military brat, a retired Marine, and the spouse of a retired Marine. I am privileged to have sat on the 9.11 Promise scholarship committee for the past two years.

Having spent my life around the military, I saw firsthand how organizations like The 9.11 Promise impact families. The loss of a loved one or caring for a disabled family member is sometimes a catastrophic financial burden for families. However, time and again, the children in these families face adversity head-on and find a way to excel academically and thrive in their communities. The 9.11 Promise merit-based scholarship gives these special children the opportunity to continue a path of success.

In 2023, my husband and I formed a team to participate in the 9.11 Promise Run. Along with our three daughters, some other family members, and a few close friends, we laughed, argued, cried, and cheered each other on. It was hard! It was also one of the most personally impactful things that I have ever done. The people we met along the way were amazing, and the support we received from total strangers kept us going.

At the end, we all said that we would never do it again. We were wrong! Team Bluewater will be back on the road again in 2026, 25 years after the tragic attack on our country.

I will keep the promise to never forget what happened on September 11, 2001. I look forward to being a part of something that truly and significantly benefits the children of our fallen and disabled first responders and veterans. These children are our legacy and the future of our country.

Why I’m Here: Dave Morzenti

I am Dave Morzenti, and I serve on the Board of Directors of The 9.11 Promise. I would like to share with you some reasons why I work with this fantastic charitable organization. 

I graduated high school in 1991 and joined the Marine Corps Reserves as an enlisted infantryman. I was also attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison full-time and taking Naval ROTC classes with the goal of becoming a Marine Corps officer. I graduated from college in May 1995 and received my commission as a second lieutenant on active duty in the Marine Corps. 

As a Marine Corps officer, I was initially an Artillery Officer, and then I was selected to go to law school to become a military lawyer for the Marine Corps. I graduated from law school in May 2001, and in August 2001, I started Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. 

Then, our country was attacked by terrorists on September 11th. This tragic event changed the Marine Corps and the military, and greatly affected or influenced just about everything that I have been doing since then: deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan; helping Wounded Warriors; career assignments and duty stations; and supporting teammates, friends and family members through deployments.

At this point in my life and career, I feel like it is the right time to pass the torch to the next generation to work on the national security challenges facing our country. These challenges are more dangerous, more complex, and the world is more fragile than it was 25 years ago.  

In order to solve these tough challenges, the next generation is going to have to be well-educated to understand the complexity and history of what has happened before; to understand the mistakes that were made; and how to do things better in the future. They also have to know that they can count on those that came before them, and that they are not alone.

For me, working with The 9.11 Promise is a personally meaningful way to remember and honor all of those affected by the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and the wars and operations that followed; and providing educational scholarships to children of those injured or killed in the line of duty is a successful way to remember and honor their service and sacrifice.

Announcing 2026’s 25th Anniversary Run

In September 2026, The 9.11 Promise organization will host a commemorative run marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The multi-day endurance event will span from The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, to Ground Zero in New York City—honoring those lost, the heroes who responded, and the promise to never forget.

Runners will cover more than 200 miles in relay fashion, representing a powerful tribute to first responders, military service members and their families. Along the way, the event will raise funds to support scholarships for children of fallen or disabled first-responders and military personnel.

The 9.11 Promise Run continues to inspire unity, resilience, and remembrance through action. More details about participation, fundraising, and ways to support the cause will be available soon at 911promise.org.

Celebrating the 2025 Class of Scholarships

Congratulations to this year’s 9.11 Promise Scholarship Recipients! We had a record number of applicants this year and the most diverse group representing all branches of the U.S. military as well as police and fire departments from around the country! An extremely competitive group of young adults who have shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of challenges very few can comprehend.

Thank you to all of the athletes who fundraised, to the donors who opened their wallets, to the volunteers and to our sponsor, @raymondjames and the Valor Network!

Congratulations again to this year’s recipients!

Application Open for Scholarships

Applications for the 2025/2026 Scholarship Award Program are now being accepted! This is a competitive selection process. Children of any fallen or injured First Responder or Military Service Member is eligible to apply. Awards range from $5,000 – $15,000. Applications and all supporting documentation are due by March 15, 2025.

Wilmington CrossFit athletes take part in 9/11 Promise Run

WWAY Wilmington

Members of SeaCoast CrossFit in Wilmington traveled to Washington D.C. on Saturday to begin their journey at the Pentagon Memorial, and Monday, they will reach their final destination at Ground Zero in New York City, marking this somber day in history. 

Runners change lives for children of 9.11 heroes with 240mile Pentagon to Ground Zero run

The Mirror

Launched by Jennifer Depoto in 2016, the 9.11 Promise run had humble beginnings with just seven runners – but now transforms the lives of children who have lost a first responder parent in the line of duty

9/11 Promise Run: Annual race from Pentagon to Ground Zero provides ‘God moments,’ founder says

Fox News

Honoring our nation’s first responders and remembering the fallen every September 11th is a tradition that many proud Americans partake in across the country.

This includes the founder and president of 9/11 Promise nonprofit, Jen Depoto. She is devoted to her work of paying tribute to our nation’s heroes.

What a group of local cyclists, runners are doing to honor this week’s 9/11 anniversary

WJLA

A dedicated collection of runners and cyclists will commemorate this week’s anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks by traveling from Arlington to New York City on Monday. Participants in the “9/11 Promise Run” are leaving the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington and are traveling over the next three days to Shanksville, Pennsylvania and Ground Zero in New York.

Cyclists pedal from the Pentagon to Flight 93, honoring the lives lost September 11th

CBS 21

A journey to honor the lives lost on September 11th, 2001, will span 198 miles in two days. Cyclists will be pedaling from the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., to Pennsylvania to make it to the Flight 93 Memorial for the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Relay race honoring 9/11 victims passes through Baltimore

Baltimore Sun

The American flag clenched in the hand of the runners passing through Baltimore offered the usual stars, but unusual stripes. Printed within the 13 stripes were the names of the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks 18 years ago this week.

Bicyclists make 200-mile trek from Pentagon to Flight 93 Memorial

WJAC

A group of bicyclists are honoring the memories and courage of those impacted by the attacks on Sept. 11. Teams of riders are in the middle of a journey from the Pentagon to the Flight 93 Memorial. The promise ride is the first ever bike ride from the Pentagon to Shanksville commemorating 9/11.

9/11 Promise Bikers ride through Bedford County

WTAJ

The 9/11 Promise bike crew started at the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C. and almost two-hundred miles later, here they are in Bedford County. “We’ve been riding for two days. One-hundred and ninety-one miles I believe. Today was probably the hardest a lot of hills out here in Pennsylvania.”

Runners, bicyclists begin 9/11 Promise Run

WJAC

Dozens of runners and bicyclists have departed the Pentagon for a three-day interstate relay to raise money for families of the military and first responders. The 9/11 Promise Run has already raised $70,000 this year and organizers hope to exceed $100,000.

Runners Take On Relay From Pentagon to Ground Zero to Honor 9/11 Victims

Runner’s World

The tragedy of 9/11 changed our country in countless ways, and members of one relay are doing their part to make sure the victims will never be forgotten: They are running from the Pentagon to Ground Zero to memorialize the events that took place and the lives lost.

9/11 memorial runners promise to remember: ‘It’s our job as folks that lived through it to keep that memory alive’

WHYY

There’s no celebration at the end of this journey. After running 243 miles from the Pentagon to Ground Zero in New York City over three days, the finish line for the 9/11 Promise Run is a sobering reminder of the reason for their trek.

Runners honor victims of 9/11 by completing 3-day, 240-mile run from Pentagon to Ground Zero

cbssports.com

In order to pay tribute to those lost in the attacks on Sep. 11, 2001, over 60 runners will complete a 240-mile run from the Pentagon to Ground Zero on Tuesday. The Promise Run is a relay that tests the physical mettle of its runners, but as they say, the physical discomfort is made well worth it by the cause.

Dozens Of Athletes Complete 3-Day Pentagon To Ground Zero Run In Honor Of Victims Lost On 9/11

CBS New York

Two beams of light resembling the Twin Towers shined brightly in lower Manhattan Monday night, honoring those who were lost in the September 11th terror attacks on the eve of their 17th anniversary.

Runners Paying Tribute To 9/11 Victims In 3-Day Charity Run From Pentagon To Ground Zero

CBS Philly

For the third year in a row, dozens of runners are remembering the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks by raising money in their honor. Three days, 240 miles, 60 plus runners and $65,000 raised in memory of the nearly 3,000 people killed on 9/11, 17 years ago.

DC to NYC: 9/11 Promise Run is 240 miles to remember

radio.com

For 18 year old Americans now eligible for military service, the terror attacks of September 11th are not something they remember. For those reaching adulthood in following years, it won’t even be something that happened during their lifetime.

A Relay to Remember

The Winchester Star

It’s 240 miles from the Pentagon in Arlington County to Ground Zero in New York City and one local military veteran is part of a team that’s going to run every one of them. The 9/11 Promise Run is an annual relay event commemorating the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The 9/11 Promise Run from the Pentagon to Ground Zero Gets a Boost from New Jersey Firefighters

Jersey Firefighters Now

At 5:00 AM on September 11, 2017, 27 runners from across the country departed from Trenton Fire Headquarters to complete the last day of their three day charity run from the Pentagon to Ground Zero.