Boots on the Run 5k

• 5K:- Run 3.1 Miles

History about our event logo

In 2013, USO of NC Jacksonville Center hosted its inaugural Boots on the Run 5K with a logo that pays tribute to our fire fighters, first responders, police and military. Fifteen years after its creation, that same logo now hangs in the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. 

Two teachers from Northern Ohio created the image, titled I’ll Take it From Here, where a fire fighter hands the American Flag to a Marine, as a way for their community to remember and to show how our fire fighters, police officers and military have joined together to fight the war on terrorism.  That image now hangs in government buildings from military bases to the pentagon, and will now hang prestigiously in the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

The USO of NC Jacksonville Center received permission to use the image for the inaugural run because it’s a perfect illustration of what the 5K is about. The USO of NC Jacksonville Center wants to honor our heroes in all its forms through the Boots on the Run 5K.

About the course

This year, the 3.1 mile race will be held at the USO of NC, Jacksonville center located at 9 Tallman Street, travel a scenic route through downtown Jacksonville, and end back at the center.  We are asking as many Military Units as possible to participate and lead the race by carrying the “Colors” and then all the other racers will follow carrying flags as well.  We want to flood the streets of Jacksonville with flags;  coming together as a community to show pride in “Old Glory” contrary to recent events across the country.

About the USO of North Carolina

The USO of North Carolina strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. Founded in 1941, the USO of NC is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of North Carolinians to support its programs and services.  The USO of NC serves the fourth largest military population in the U.S., touching more than 575,000 lives annually, helping our service members and their families through education, wellness, transition assistance and resiliency programs across the state.  Combined Federal Campaign donors have joined thousands of individual donors, our travel partner American Airlines, Bank of America, Cannon Foundation, Circle K, Community Coffee, Harris Teeter, Kangaroo Express, Lenovo, Marine Federal Credit Union, Walmart and other corporate partners to support the USO of NC and our service members.  For more information visit www.uso-nc.org and to donate, visit https://uso-nc.org/donate-now/     CFC #29349  SECC #3628

Event details and schedule