The 13th annual Run for the Troops 5K was a lot like the first-ever event created by Bill Pennington in 2011.
With just over 1,600 runners and walkers, including 170 military veterans, that participated in the annual Andover 3.1 miles event.
“The excitement was over the top, maybe the best ever, like when our first-ever race,” recalled Pennington. “We had heroes all over the place, including four veterans in their 80s, like John Doherty, who had four Purple Hearts from injuries he suffered in Vietnam. We had the color guard. We had young people from Junior ROTC holding flags and cheering on runners and walkers throughout the course.
“We finally are getting back to our pre-COVID numbers and you could tell,” said Pennington. “This was the best we’ve ever had. A day later and I’m still emotional.”
The 2023 race helped put the event over $700,000 in proceeds that go toward Veteran-related activities, programs and in some cases homes.
Pennington noted that it’s not only those in the military that make sacrifices. Families do too, and they were well-represented at Saturday night’s dinner, which sold out in early August, and the race on Sunday.
“You have to also remember the families, because they also serve indirectly. When their significant others and parents are away serving, they run the house,” said Pennington, himself the son of two veterans. “In some ways, they serve too.”
The proceeds of the race go to help veterans at Ironstone Farm, Homeland Heroes and Run to Home Base.
“Our vets deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Pennington. “It’s not just giving things away. It’s have a pizza and beer night. It’s hosting vets a golf course. These kinds of things mean the world to our heroes. As long as I’m around I’m going to make sure they get what they deserve.”
Gold Star mom Robin Abbott, who lost her son to suicide, spoke at the dinner on Saturday. It was moving, said Pennington.
“I know vets that have committed suicide and those that have considered it but are still with us,” said Pennington. “That’s why we do what we do. And it’s why our 14th race next year will be even better.”
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