On September 11, 2003, the Duluth Police developed the first 9/11 Gunny Mile 5 K Run in memory of the police officers and firefighters that gave their lives in the attack on the World Trade Towers. The Gunny Mile also serves as a fund raiser in support of the military's Special Operations Forces by providing one-hundred percent of the proceeds to Operation One Voice.
Operation One Voice, a Duluth program with a non-profit corporation run by community & public safety professionals managing the funds is dedicated to see that the children and families of fallen wounded Special Operations Forces immediate needs are taken care of and that no one falls through the gap.
This year's run will be part of the Georgia Grand Prix Series and be advertised in the Georgia Runners Magazine, website as well as the Duluth City & Police website and Operationonevoice.org site.
The "Gunny Mile," actually a 5K run/walk, will follow the fall festival run through the picturesque streets of downtown Duluth and end at the beautiful town green area. The "Gunny Mile" is a fundraising event which gives the community an opportunity to join together with local police officers, firefighters and soldiers in support of children of fallen and wounded Special Operations Forces.
The 9/11 Gunny Mile 5 K is one of several events sponsored by Operation One Voice; all the Operation One Voice events will cumulate in a 600+ mile run from the Gwinnett Arena to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay during Veteran's Day week (Nov. 7 -11,2008).
If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about "Operation One Voice" please contact Lt. Bill Stevens, Director of the C.O.P.S. Division at (770) 476-4151 or by e-mail to: atbstevens@duluthpd.com. MPO Scott Parrish with the Duluth Police C.O.P.S. Division is the Gunny Mile event coordinator and may be contacted at (678) 475-3514 or sparrish@duluthpd.com
