Tempe's Pat's Run Will Be Held In Person Sat. For First Time Since '19

TEMPE, AZ —For the first time since 2019, Pat's Run will take place in person on Saturday in Tempe.

The 18th annual event, which was held virtually the last two years, is named after former Arizona State football star Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan after giving up his NFL career to become an Army Ranger. Friday is the 18th anniversary of Tillman's death.

Tillman wore No. 42 with the Sun Devils, which is why the race is 4.2 miles long and will finish at the 42-yard line in Sun Devil Stadium. There also is an 0.42 mile kids run.

The race serves as the signature fundraiser for the Pat Tillman Foundation's Tillman Scholars program, which provides college scholarships to military veterans and active service members.

This event will begin near Sun Devil Stadium and end inside the stadium. A wheelchair race begins at 7 a.m., the 4.2 mile run/walk starts at 7:05 a.m. and the 0.42 kids run begins at 10 a.m. The gates open to the event at 5:30 a.m. and the Race Day Expo begins at 6 a.m.

While only a limited number of in-person spots for the run remained available at Friday's pre-race packet pickup, runners interested in participating virtually still can register and submit their results up until Sunday.

The race will lead to the closure of a handful of Tempe streets between 5 am. and 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Mill Avenue between 3rd Street and Curry Road and Scottsdale Road between University Drive and Gilbert Drive both will be closed. Also, Rio Salado Parkway will be closed in both directions between Ash Avenue and McClintock Drive. Curry Road will be closed in both directors between College Avenue and Mill Avenue.

This is just one of many Pat Tillman runs going on in the U.S. this month. Each year, the ASU Alumni Association in partnership with the Pat Tillman Foundation, coordinates Pat Tillman Honor Runs across the county. All of the races are 4.2 miles long.