An upcoming event will acknowledge a tragic day in our nation’s history and also honor one of the 49th Precinct’s fallen heroes.
This year’s Lt. Thomas Clesse Memorial 5K Run, which will be held on Saturday, September 7, will honor the late NYPD officer who had more than 30 years of experience with the 49th Precinct as well as those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the 49th Precinct with a ceremony honoring the late Clesse, who passed away from cancer in 2002, as well as the 9/11 victims and their families.
From the precinct, the event will move to Pelham Parkway for the 5K race at around 10 a.m. The route will start on Eastchester Road and will continue to White Plains Road before returning to Pelham Parkway, where the race will conclude.
The run will be followed by lunch and award presentations for the over-50 and under-50 first, second and third place winners. There will also be a raffle.
Participation is $20 for those who wish to participate in the race, while children 12 and under can race for free. All participants will recieve a 49th Precinct T-shirt commemorating 9/11.
This year’s proceeds will be donated to widows and orphans of fallen police officers.
In 2013, proceeds from the run went to victims who were affected by the Boston Marathon bombing.
“This event is important because it highlights the sacrifices that people make and shows that this great country will come together for a common cause in times of crisis,” said Joe Thompson, president of the 49th Precinct Community Council.
“It is important that we remember what happened on that tragic day and also remember an individual who was very well respected by both the police department as well as the community – and that’s why we hold this annual event,” Thompson added. “It’s very important to us.”
Thompson continued to say that Clesse’s tenure with the NYPD signified a strong relationship between the community and its police officers. He went on to describe Clesse as “the perfect role model.”
The event will be funded by Simone Development from the Hutchinson Metro Center, the12th consecutive year that Simone has sponsored the event.
