Every year, students, faculty, family and friends of Boston College join together to participate in the Welles Remy Crowther Red Bandana 5K. This event brings the Boston College community together to honor Welles Crowther, who graduated from Boston College in 1999, and tragically lost his life in the attacks on September 11, 2001. To carry on the memory of their son, the Crowther family started The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust.

This was the first year I participated in the run, and I am so happy I did. When I woke up on that frigid Saturday morning, I really just wanted to stay in bed. But I knew it was for a good cause, so I hauled out of bed and headed to the main quad to wait for the race to begin. Although it was a gloomy October morning, the energy and support for the Crowther family was contagious. Emotions were high as the quad was a spread of red bandanas and American pride.

Finally, it was time for the race to begin as everyone lined up in front of Gasson Hall and started their warm-up stretches. The guns went off and everyone was on their way down Commonwealth Avenue. My running buddy and I were surprised when we reached the first mile marker in what felt like no time. The spirit and electricity of everyone running the race was easy enough motivation to keep running and not even realize how long it had been. The real struggles came when we were approaching the third mile mark and had to make our way up the steep hill of Beacon Street. The feeling of making it to the top of the hill and rounding out the way as we ran through the gates of Boston College and through to the finish line was one of pride. I wasn't necessarily proud of myself for finishing the race (although that was a feat in and of itself), but I was so immensely proud of my school and everyone uniting for something much bigger than ourselves.

The Red Bandana run keeps the legacy of the amazing life that Welles Crowther led alive. He is a true American hero who will never be forgotten.