Runners Honored Fallen FDNY Members in Memorial Run
Participants completed a 34.3-mile journey to pay tribute to the 343 firefighters lost during the 9/11 attacks.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Running
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Runners completed the annual 34.3 For The 343 Memorial Run on September 11, 2026, traveling from Long Beach to Lower Manhattan. The event honored the 343 FDNY members killed during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Why it matters
The memorial run serves as a physical commemoration of those who died in the line of duty 25 years ago. Organizers modified the route this year to allow students at P.S. 43 in Far Rockaway to participate in the tribute without leaving school grounds.
The route spans exactly 34.3 miles to reflect the 343 FDNY members lost during the 9/11 attacks. The event, which takes place 25 years after the attacks, began this year with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m.
The players
34.3 Foundation
This organization was established in 2021 by Etan Blatt to facilitate the annual memorial run.
Etan Blatt
He is an FDNY firefighter who founded the 34.3 Foundation to honor those lost on September 11.
P.S. 43
This Far Rockaway school hosted students who cheered for runners during the 2026 event.
The details
Runners temporarily diverted from the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk to pass directly by P.S. 43 in Far Rockaway. The school principal and staff organized the students to cheer for the athletes as they traveled toward the finish line in Lower Manhattan.
Timeline
September 11, 2001: The terrorist attacks occurred.
2021: The 34.3 Foundation was established.
8:46 a.m., September 11, 2026: A moment of silence was held.
September 11, 2026: The annual memorial run took place.
Season Trajectory
The run reinforces a tradition of public commemoration that shapes the New York City athletic calendar each September. By integrating local school children into the route, the event shifts from a solo athletic endeavor to a community-wide educational tribute.
The route modification required runners to exit the boardwalk in Far Rockaway to pass P.S. 43 before returning to their path. This change ensured student participation while maintaining the 34.3-mile cumulative distance of the event.
The takeaway
This memorial demonstrates how athletic events can be adapted to bridge the gap between historic tragedy and younger generations. Participants and local communities continue to find unique ways to ensure the memory of those lost remains active 25 years later.
Further reading
For more information on local athletics, visit Running.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Wave - Rockaway's Newspaper since 1893 | 718-634-4000.
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