Memorial Run Honored Fallen FDNY Members
Runners completed a 34.3-mile route to commemorate the 343 firefighters lost during the 9/11 attacks.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Running
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The annual 34.3 For The 343 Memorial Run took place on September 11, 2026, spanning 34.3 miles from Long Beach to Lower Manhattan. This year, the event included a special stop at P.S. 43 in Far Rockaway to include local students.
Why it matters
The event serves as a physical tribute to the 343 FDNY members killed in the line of duty during the 2001 terrorist attacks. Organizers adjusted the route to allow children to participate in the memorial process without leaving school property.
The 34.3 For The 343 Memorial Run is an annual endurance event covering 34.3 miles to honor the 343 FDNY members who died on September 11, 2001. The 2026 iteration marked 25 years since the attacks, following a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m.
The players
FDNY
The New York City Fire Department which lost 343 members during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Etan Blatt
An FDNY firefighter who founded the 34.3 Foundation in 2021 to honor the fallen.
P.S. 43
A school in Far Rockaway where students and staff organized to cheer for the memorial runners.
The details
The run requires significant physical endurance to traverse the full distance from Long Beach to Lower Manhattan. To accommodate students at P.S. 43 in Far Rockaway, participants diverted from the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk to pass directly by the school building. This logistical change allowed staff and students to engage with the runners without requiring the children to leave the school grounds.
Timeline
September 11, 2001: FDNY firefighters died in the terrorist attacks.
2021: The 34.3 Foundation was established.
September 11, 2026: The annual memorial run took place.
8:46 a.m.: A moment of silence was held for the victims.
Health Landscape
The 34.3 For The 343 Memorial Run maintains a physical connection to the collective trauma of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It reflects a growing trend in public health of using community-based endurance events to foster collective resilience and remembrance.
Engaging in distance running as a form of memorial can serve as a powerful physical and emotional outlet. If you are considering participating in long-distance events, discuss your training readiness and physical health with your doctor.
The takeaway
Commemorative runs provide a unique way to combine physical activity with community service and historical reflection. Consider checking local community calendars for upcoming organized runs that support foundations or memorial efforts relevant to your area.
Further reading
For more on endurance events and their community impact, see Running.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Wave - Rockaway's Newspaper since 1893 | 718-634-4000.
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