wear blue: run to remember

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wear blue: run to remember

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Run. Honor. Belong. wear blue: run to remember is a national nonprofit running community that honors the service and sacrifice of the American military.

Start a fundraiser: https://oclp.goodunited.io/BzeaJwz0

💬 Connect with us on Messenger: https://m.me/wearblue?ref=713f0b26-a901-4d61-bac8-a85317b0ae83--fb-page-intro wear blue: run to remember creates a support network for military members and their families; it bridges the gap between military and civilian communities and it creates a living memorial for our country’s fallen military members. wear blue: run to remember exists for the fallen, for the fighting and for the families. wear blue: run to remember was founded following the redeployment of 5-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, a unit that, while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, sustained a significant amount of combat losses and casualties. During that deployment, a small group of 5-2 wives and battalion support staff met weekly to run, seeking to create a support network for one another during this challenging and heartbreaking deployment. When the brigade returned, two of those Army wives and avid runners, Lisa Hallett and Erin O’Connor, turned this small group into a nationwide vision that now helps thousands heal from and work through the more challenging aspects of military life during a time of war. Lisa’s husband, CPT John Hallett, was one of four soldiers killed in that unit on August 25, 2009, while returning from a goodwill mission in Southern Afghanistan. Today, this group runs to honor all military members killed in combat and has evolved into a powerful network of active duty and retired service members, military families, Wounded Warriors, Gold Star families and community members. Weekly, wear blue athletes meet to honor the fallen and train for endurance events. At the start of their runs, the name of each military member killed on that weekend over the last thirteen years of war is called out in a Circle of Remembrance. Then, wear blue runners call out the names of those for whom they personally run – their husbands, wives, parents, siblings, battle buddies, neighbors and/or friends. At official wear blue events, American flags are lined along the race course to honor the fallen, a tribute called the wear blue Mile; each flag is hand-held making it a true living memorial. Placed in front of these flags are large posters with photographs of the Fallen. The wear blue Mile humanizes the ultimate sacrifice made by these American heroes. wear blue: run to remember has an active chapter at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WA) and Fort Bragg (NC). Additionally, there several meet-up locations around the country. wear blue is an all-inclusive community in which participants are never asked to raise money to run. wear blue: run to remember officially participates in major national races including: the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, the Captain John L Hallett III Ultra Marathon (in conjunction with The San Francisco Marathon) and the Marine Corps Marathon. wear blue partnered with Run for the Fallen, another nonprofit that honors Fallen service members, to host a special Memorial Day run in 2012, wear blue Runs for the Fallen. The goal was to run 6,764 miles – one mile for each fallen military member in the Global War on Terror. That goal was far exceeded when over 13,000 miles were run, in blue, for those who made the ultimate sacrifice on that meaningful day. In 2014, wear blue set a goal of 6,808 runners (one for each service member lost in the Global War on Terror). Exceeding that goal, 8,395 runners committed 39,336 miles.

10/31/2026

Not every mile is run for a finish line or a personal record. Our most powerful steps carry forward a legacy of service, courage, and sacrifice.

Last weekend at the Marine Corps Marathon, we witnessed the depth of active remembrance. We felt it along the Tribute wear blue Mile, lined with the Faces of the Fallen and lifted up by volunteers cheering, ringing cowbells, and holding American flags high. We saw it in runners carrying our fallen heroes' names across 26.2 miles, and in our 12 Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program athletes, who ran every step in honor of the people they love.

And we were reminded of something we say often: we never remember alone.

That feeling isn’t saved for one race a year. It is the heartbeat of what happens at local wear blue: run to remember Community Runs across the country.

Every run is free, volunteer-led and open to all abilities, whether you walk, jog or run. We start with a Circle of Remembrance, holding the names of fallen service members in our hands and our hearts and speaking them aloud. We honor and remember all who died while serving, whatever the cause. Then we step off together at our own pace.

Our Community Runs are a place of deep connection, healthy living, emotional safety, and purpose. You don't need to run a marathon. You don't need to be fast. You just need to show up for those who served and the families who carry their legacy every day.

If you’ve been looking for a deeper purpose in your movement, for a community that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with you, or for a meaningful way to choose active remembrance, there is a place for you here.

Find a Community Run near you and take purposeful steps with us.

Community. Movement. Remembrance. Let’s keep moving forward, together.

10/31/2026

The Community Run is the foundation of wear blue: run to remember. Each weekend, service members are honored by name and remembered in the steps and breaths of our community.

View our list of wear blue communities at https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/communities

wear blue invites you to share this week's Names of the Fallen graphic honoring the service members who were killed on 31 October, since September 11, 2001.

As you run/walk/move this weekend, please share this Saturday's post, and something unique/special that you learned about one of our honored service members.

Visit http://thefallen.militarytimes.com to learn more about these brave service members and honor them with your steps today.

Visit the link in our bio to receive your own hero match.

10/30/2026

“Our scars are part of the story.”

Rachel’s reflection from our Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program Remembrance Dinner captures why this program exists.

We’re grateful to our athletes for their courage, and to The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes for making the night possible.

"On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, leaving behind incredible destruction and scaring the landscape around it forever. Over the years that followed, wildflowers began to bloom and trees took root again...Life found its way back." I shared that story with our athletes at the Gold Star and Sur...

10/29/2026

From the starter’s pistol to the last cheer, Jamie showed up for every moment of Marine Corps Marathon weekend. 💙

As a wear blue ambassador, volunteer, and Gold Star sister, Jamie kicked off the weekend by firing the starter’s pistol at the inaugural MCM 8K, explored the MCM Expo, and finished on the wear blue Mile, cheering on runners as they carried their fallen heroes with them.

Every moment is a reminder that this weekend is about more than miles. It’s about community, remembrance, and showing up for those who gave everything in service to our country.

Jamie, thank you for being part of our wear blue community and helping us honor the fallen through action. 🇺🇸

10/28/2026

Every mile has its people. At the MCM Tribute wear blue Mile, some of ours were in Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program blue.💙

Year after year, this team shows up to honor the fallen and lift the runners who carry their names.

Leslie keeps everything running smoothly, and slices oranges at lightning speed!

And when marathoners need a boost, Al, James and Tony bring the cheers!

Thank you for being our Tribute wear blue Mile sponsor, and for showing up with heart. You make every step on the Mile a little lighter.

10/27/2026

Before the sun came up, our volunteers were already showing up. 💙

Before 5 AM, you were out there setting up the Tribute wear blue Mile, placing tribute posters, preparing flags, and helping create a living memorial to honor the service and sacrifice of the American military.

Your early mornings, hard work, and commitment make this tribute possible. Thank you for showing up, for carrying these names, and for helping thousands of runners see, remember, and honor the lives of those who gave everything in service to our country.

We couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for being part of our wear blue community. 🇺🇸

10/26/2026

Some miles you run. This one you carry.

Thank you to every runner, volunteer, family member and Marine who made the Tribute wear blue Mile into more than a stretch of road this weekend at the 51st Marine Corps Marathon and the first-ever MCM 8K.

To our volunteers: thank you for holding flags and cheering until the last runner passed.

To our athletes and Gold Star and Surviving families: thank you for trusting us with the names you carry.

To our partners Blue Cross Blue Shield FedVep, JLL, PenFed Foundation and Comcast: thank you for making it all possible.

The MCM Tribute wear blue Mile happens once a year.

Our Circles of Remembrance happen every Saturday.

Find one near you at the link in our bio.

10/25/2026

Marine Corps Marathon Tribute wear blue Mile

10/25/2026

Setting up the Tribute wear blue Mile.

10/24/2026

What a way to kick off race morning at the inaugural MCM 8K! 💙

wear blue ambassador Jamie helped get the race started, while our Director of Community Runs, Ryan, led the Circle of Remembrance before the race.

We’re proud to be a part of this exciting new event!

Address

PO BOX 65254, University Place
University Place, WA
98327

Website

https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/ways-to-give

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