Pat Tillman 5k

Runners take off at the start line during the 10th Annual Pat Tillman 5k run at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan April 29, 2014. The annual race honors Pat Tillman, a former NFL player and Army Ranger who lost his life while serving in Afghanistan in 2004. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Pat Tillman 5k

Medals for the 10th Annual Pat Tillman 5k run are displayed on a table at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan April 29, 2014. The annual race honors Pat Tillman, a former NFL player and Army Ranger who lost his life while serving in Afghanistan in 2004. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Pat Tillman 5k

Runners pick up their finisher medal and t-shirt during 10th Annual Pat Tillman 5k run at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan April 29, 2014. The annual race honors Pat Tillman, a former NFL player and Army Ranger who lost his life while serving in Afghanistan in 2004. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Running to remember Pat Tillman's Legacy

Published April 29, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- More than 1100 runners gathered for a 5k run to honor fallen comrade Pat Tillman at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan April 29, 2014.

The event was hosted by the United Service Organizations here, where one of the USO centers is named in honor of Tillman.

"Today we are having our annual 5k run in honor of Pat Tillman," said Will Schouten, USO duty manager. "He was a former Ranger who died in Afghanistan, and we are here to honor his life."

This year marked the 10th Anniversary of Tillman's death. Tillman was a professional football player who left his career to serve as a Ranger in the United States Army. During his enlistment, he served a tour in Iraq and later in Afghanistan where he lost his life on April 22, 2004.

With this being the 10th anniversary of Tillman's death, the organization planned this annual run months in advance.

"This event is awesome," said Senior Airman Michael Hall, 77th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion combat medic deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. "I was a football fan growing up and the whole story about Pat Tillman playing for the Cardinals and joining the military is very patriotic... it is great to be part of this."