PORTLAND, Maine — Only weeks away from the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a race to honor some of those lost has made its way to Portland and dedicated runners are doing their legacy justice.
"I'm not a runner, but I did my best and I tried," Veronica Candia said. With little experience, just finishing a 5K race seemed hard enough, let alone considering what Candia decided to wear.
Candia endured an extremely sweaty 30 minutes running in her boyfriend's firefighter jacket, which he has worn for the past 17 years working in Maine.
"It was very hot. I think it's like 15 pounds or so."
Like so many others, she pushed herself at Payson's Park on Saturday. The race honored both current first responders, and also the memory of the 342 firefighters who lost their lives almost 23 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.
"You put yourself in other peoples' shoes. We can always give more," Candia said.
The race, known as the Tunnel to Towers 5K, started in New York back in 2002. Ralph Munroe brought it to Maine for the first time this year. "It was time for Portland to step up and we did," Munroe said.
As a firefighter in the city of Portland, Munroe said he keeps the tragedy of 9/11 close to his heart because it reminds him of the importance of his job, but also the dangers that come with it. "You know, they made the ultimate sacrifice to help other people."
Proceeds from the race support family members of fallen first responders, as well as veterans, through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. "It's all about camaraderie, paying respect and supporting the foundation," Munroe said.
About 300 people showed up to join him in those efforts. The huge first year turnout is something Munroe stays humble about.
"We hope to be able to double that next year, anyway," he said. With the feedback he's gotten, that goal might not be a big ask. "Everybody in New England should just do this and get together because we would not be here if it wasn't for first responders and firefighters. They do so much for us, they deserve it," Candia said.