Runners and walkers will be trekking exactly 4.2 miles in the Pittsburgh Tillman Honor Run, a nod to the late Army Ranger’s football No. 42 jersey at Arizona State University.
The Pittsburgh race will start at 9 a.m. April 18 at the North Park Boathouse along Pearce Mill Road in McCandless. The race is coordinated by members of the Arizona State University Alumni Association in partnership with the Pat Tillman Foundation.
“The Tillman Honor Run is important because it goes beyond a typical race. It’s a way for the community to come together and honor the legacy of Pat Tillman and what he stood for: service, sacrifice and putting others before self,” said Cristina Ceniceros, Tillman Honor Run captain and vice president of the Pittsburgh chapter.
It’s the first year for the race in North Park. Last year’s event was held in Ohio Township Community Park.
“On a local level, it’s meaningful because it brings people together in a shared moment of purpose. You see families, veterans, students and neighbors all participating side by side. It creates a space to reflect, show appreciation and build a stronger, more connected community,” said Ceniceros, who earned her master’s degree from Arizona State University in 2019 through the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Race registration directly benefits the Pat Tillman Foundation’s Tillman Scholars program, providing financial support to active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses as they pursue their dreams of higher education.
“That impact is tangible. Participants aren’t just showing up for a run, they’re helping create opportunities for those who have served,” Ceniceros said.
ASU alumni chapters and clubs hold the event nationwide in honor of Tillman, who was born in 1976 in San Jose, Calif.
Tillman attended ASU from 1994 to 1998 on a football scholarship for the Sun Devils, graduating summa cum laude, according to pattillmanfoundation.org.
Tillman also played for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals beginning in 1998, later turning down a three-year, $9 million deal from the St. Louis Rams to stay with the Cardinals.
He decided to enlist in the Army during his honeymoon with his high school sweetheart, Marie, in 2002, according to the Pat Tillman Foundation website.
Tillman put his NFL career on hold to join the Army in July 2002 with a three-year commitment. The Army assigned him to the Second Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash. His brother, Kevin, also enlisted.
Tillman served his first combat tour in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
He deployed again to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004, when his unit came under attack while traveling through Eastern Afghanistan’s canyon terrain, according to the foundation.
Tillman died in action on April 22, 2004, while providing cover for fellow soldiers. His heroic efforts helped them escape from the dangerous canyon terrain, according to the foundation.
“Pat Tillman represents the values our group strives to embody: service, integrity and a commitment to something bigger than ourselves. His decision to step away from a successful NFL career to serve his country is a powerful reminder of selflessness and purpose,” said Cenicernos of Kennedy Township.
For the ASU alumni chapter, Tillman isn’t just about remembering his story, Ceniceros said.
“It’s about carrying his legacy forward through action. Whether it’s showing up for this event, supporting veterans and their families, or creating meaningful community impact, his example continues to inspire how we lead and serve,” she said.
The race also is held at ASU, with the course ending at the 42-yard line of the former Sun Devil Stadium, now known as Mountain America Stadium.
The cost to participate in the 4.2 Mile Run Walk-Honor Run is $59.67, which includes the $42.40 registration fee, plus $12 shipping and a processing fee.
Registration includes a shipped T-shirt, medal, virtual result submission and finisher certificate.
The Kids’ Run/Walk Honor Run, for participants 12 and younger, is $25.53 and includes a $10.42 registration fee, plus $12 shipping and a processing fee. This includes a shipped T-shirt, virtual result submission and finisher certificate.
Participants can register through April 18. Same-day, on-site registration is welcome for those who decide to join “last-minute” on race day, Ceniceros said.
Registration details can be found online at raceroster.com/events/2026/105807/tillman-honor-runs.
Additional information and registration can be found at alumni.asu.edu/tillman-honor-runs.