Running to remember 9/11 victims

URBANA, Ohio (WDTN) - In memory of the victims of 9/11, runners gathered in Urbana Saturday to commemorate those lost in The World Trade Center attacks and to promote peace.

Dozens sprinted past the orange cones that lined the wet pavement of Urbana University Saturday morning to remember the victims of 9/11.

"We live in a world that's filled with violence, and our daughter was killed by some of the worst violence, hijacked terrorist activity that crashed her plane into the south tower," said Urbana native John Titus.

John and Bev Titus' daughter, Alicia, was a flight attendant for United Airlines. She died on September 11, 2001 when the flight she was on crashed into The World Trade Center.

After the horrific tragedy that claimed Alicia's life, as well as hundreds of other lives, the Titus family made it their mission to spread a message of peace.

"We felt afterwards that we needed to help build a world of peace, rather than a world of continuous wars and continuous violence," said John.

With the help of community members, family, and friends, John and Bev organized a 5K and one-mile run in Alicia's name.

"Alicia loved the idea of running. She didn't always care so much to actually do it," laughed Bev Titus.

"Running is a joyful activity, so it's a time where we can not only grieve, but we can feel the joy of life as well," John added.

Over 20 volunteers and more than 100 people laced up their shoes for the run. People came from as far as Colorado and Florida to support the Titus' efforts.

Each step of the run was a reminder of Alicia.

John stated, "This is something we can do for our daughter who can't do it for herself on this earth anyway."

John and Bev said the run is a way to keep their daughter's legacy alive and her memory in their hearts.

"She'd be cheering," said Bev. "She'd be very happy that we're doing this."

The profits from Saturday's run will provide seed money to create an annual scholarship at Urbana University for a student who exemplifies qualities of compassion, understanding, acceptance, joyousness, and giving.