OLATHE, Kan.- Across the nation, people are honoring the lives lost on this day in 2001.
Nearly 400 runners signed up for the Patriots’ Runat Mid America Nazarene University.
"It is a day to honor the heroes that are still living and those who have fallen,” Ross Capps of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said.
The theme of the race is “to thank and honor those who serve our country.” Race Director Layne Whitehouse said one runner even traveled from Brazil to participate.
"It's nice to know that people are taking note and carving time out to travel and to take off work and to make this a priority,” Whitehouse said.
The race kicked off at noon, lasting 9 hours and 11 minutes.
"We've got teams that come out and they each do a loop and they just encourage each other all day long," Whitehouse said.
Monday’s Patriots’ Run marks the 15th anniversary of the run itself, but it’s also the first anniversary of the death of a hometown hero.
"It's the one-year anniversary of the passing of Master Deputy Brandon Collins,” Capps said.
Master Deputy Collins was struck by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on 69 Highway last year.
"He was the best friend a guy could ask for, he was a great co-worker, he was an amazing individual,” said Capps.
Master Deputy Collins wore badge number 745.
"There are people here that will take someone else's story and it becomes why they're running,” said Whitehouse.
Family, friend’s co-workers and even strangers wearing ‘Team 745’ in his honor.
Tackling the Patriots’ Run for the first time, the team set a big goal in honor of their fallen hero.
"We're going to try to do 745 miles today,” said Capps.
Runners could choose from a walk, 5k, half-marathon, marathon, and ultra-marathon. All of the proceeds from the Patriots’ Run will go to The Salvation Army for hurricane relief.
