Photo essay: The 21st Pat’s Run honors a legend with every stride

The Pat Tillman foundation honors former ASU and Cardinals football player Pat Tillman, who served as an Army Ranger before losing his life to friendly fire. The story of Pat’s Run through photos.

The Pat Tillman statue it Mountain America Stadium was unveiled in 2017 and honors the late Arizona State football player, who lost his life while serving as an Army Ranger. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

By Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News April 15, 2025

TEMPE – As the sun rose Saturday morning in the East Valley, the shadow of the Pat Tillman statue in Mountain America Stadium covered the finish line of the 21st annual Pat’s Run, a metaphor for the presence the late football standout has in the community.

The finish line of Pat’s Run is the 42-yard line, which is in honor of Pat Tillman’s uniform number at ASU. Runners can spend time on the field afterward. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Pat’s Run was started in 2005 to commemorate the memory of Tillman, an Arizona State football standout from 1994 to 1997 who was later drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998.

Tillman enlisted in the U.S. Army after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and three years later was killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire. To honor Tillman’s life and dedication to duty, a group of his friends and family looked for a special way to celebrate. Honoring the 42 of his ASU jersey, they chose to make the distance of the race 4.2 miles. Approximately 5,500 people participated in the first race.

The first group to run out are typically the fastest runners. The others are grouped in corrals based on their expected time.

Approximately 30,000 participants competed in the race, some running, others walking. Many wore the shirt provided by the Pat Tillman Foundation. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Left: The first group to run out are typically the fastest runners. The others are grouped in corrals based on their expected time. Right: Approximately 30,000 participants competed in the race, some running, others walking. Many wore the shirt provided by the Pat Tillman Foundation. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Pat’s Run has expanded dramatically since then, with about 30,000 participants in recent years. The Pat Tillman Foundation offers scholarships to veterans, active military personnel and their families, and this event is the main source of funding for the organization. Others just race to honor Tillman and all past and present military members while also inspiring the next generation of the U.S. Army.

Sports mascots from around the Valley participated in the festivities, although ASU’s Sparky often looked to take center stage.

Pat Tillman’s football jersey from ASU could be spotted everywhere, and some participants even ran with the American flag. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Left: Sports mascots from around the Valley participated in the festivities, although ASU’s Sparky often looked to take center stage. Right: Pat Tillman’s football jersey from ASU could be spotted everywhere, and some participants even ran with the American flag. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Pat’s Run quickly grew into a community event. This year featured a “Tillman Tailgate” filled with music, food and drinks. Mascots from Valley sports teams also joined in on the fun.

Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham served as the official starter. He also brought his players with him to encourage the runners. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

ASU football coach Kenny Dilligham, the reigning 2024 Big 12 Football Coach of the Year, served as official starter. Joined by his family, he addressed and encouraged the runners at the starting line before they began the 4.2-mile course.

Public safety officials running in full gear was not an uncommon site, even though that gear could feel quite heavy during the 4.2 mile run.

Phoenix Mercury mascot Scorch jokes around with competitors at the start line, including those in full gear despite temperatures that surpassed 100 later in the day. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Left: Public safety officials running in full gear was not an uncommon site, even though that gear could feel quite heavy during the 4.2 mile run. Right: Phoenix Mercury mascot Scorch jokes around with competitors at the start line, including those in full gear despite temperatures that surpassed 100 later in the day. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Many participants run in their Tillman shirt that is provided by the Tillman Foundation. Others, however, honor Tillman in a unique way by running or walking in their service uniforms, including bomb squad outfits, full military uniforms and firefighter uniforms to honor his sacrifice.

As runners and walkers came across the finish line, public address announcer Jeff Munn would mention some of their names and ages. All would receive an officials 2025 race medal. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

The medals from the Pat Tillman Foundation featured a silhouette of the late football player and acknowledged that the participant finished the race. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Left: As runners and walkers came across the finish line, public address announcer Jeff Munn would mention some of their names and ages. All would receive an officials 2025 race medal. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News) Right: The medals from the Pat Tillman Foundation featured a silhouette of the late football player and acknowledged that the participant finished the race. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

A painted red and yellow line across the 42-yard line at the stadium represents the finish line. As they come across, public address announcer Jeff Munn calls out the names and ages of some of the finishers to showcase the diversity of runners. As finishers walk through the tunnel of the stadium, they receive an official 2025 race medal.

A plaque on the statue honoring Pat Tillman offers a note of encouragement, asking that Tillman’s courage “be an inspiration to all.”

A large rendering of Pat Tillman’s number 40 Arizona Cardinals jersey was on full display at a nearby parking garage. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Left: A plaque on the statue honoring Pat Tillman offers a note of encouragement, asking that Tillman’s courage “be an inspiration to all.” Right: A large rendering of Pat Tillman’s number 40 Arizona Cardinals jersey was on full display at a nearby parking garage. (Photos by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

The race benefits the Tillman Scholars program, which encourages military families to serve and occupy leadership roles. Pat’s Run is more than a race.

It fills the streets of Tempe with bravery and courage.

Spencer Barnes

Sports Visual Journalist, Phoenix

Spencer Barnes expects to graduate in Fall 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism. Barnes contributes to Blaze Radio Sports and the Walter Cronkite Sports Network, where he photographs basketball, football and other Arizona State events. Barnes is also a full-time team photographer for a semi-pro basketball team in Mesa.