Thursday, October 1, 2026
In tribute to the FDNY firefighters who sacrificed their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, the Memories Into Miles Run/Walk took place in Long Beach on Sept. 7.
Previously, the 34.3 Foundation’s memorial run stretched from Long Beach to Ground Zero, a distance of 34.3 miles. The run was shortened to 3.43 miles to involve more local businesses, community programs, families, and teachers, and create a more inclusive event for those not able to run the original distance.
The foundation is a charitable organization that honors the 343 FDNY members who died on 9/11, raising money to aid firehouses and families dealing with line-of-duty deaths. It was founded by FDNY firefighter Etan Blatt on the 20th anniversary of the aerial attacks. Long Beach firefighters and other first responders were also honored at the event.
The 3.43-mile course ran a loop in the center of Long Beach began and ended at Skudin Surf and the boardwalk at 2 Riverside Boulevard.
Long Beach residents Ryan Scrudato and Matthew McGovern finished 1-2, in 18:13.49 and 19:14.37, respectively. Mark Stallone, from Middle Village, placed third with a time of 21:08.43, and Lexie Correia, also from Long Beach, was the first woman to cross the tape, in 23:53.44.
