Nearly 30,000 Runners Honor Pat Tillman's Legacy at 22nd Annual Pat's Run

Marine veteran and comedian Rob Riggle ran the full 4.2 miles alongside participants as this year's race starter.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:36pm

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An abstract, energetic painting in vivid neon colors, capturing the raw movement and community spirit of the Pat's Run event honoring the legacy of Pat Tillman.The annual Pat's Run event in Tempe, Arizona celebrates the enduring legacy of American hero Pat Tillman through a vibrant display of community, service, and athletic energy.Tempe Today

The 22nd annual Pat's Run took place in Tempe, Arizona, drawing nearly 30,000 participants to honor the legacy of Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who gave up his football career to join the U.S. Army after 9/11 and was later killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. This year's race starter was Marine veteran and comedian Rob Riggle, who ran the full 4.2 miles alongside participants.

Why it matters

Pat Tillman's story of service and sacrifice continues to inspire people, and the annual Pat's Run event helps raise funds for the Pat Tillman Foundation, which supports veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses through educational scholarships and programs.

The details

The 22nd annual Pat's Run featured more than 50 Tillman Scholars - active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses - leading each corral. Participants included families, veterans, students, and strangers, all united by Tillman's legacy. Marine veteran and comedian Rob Riggle, known for his roles in films like The Hangover and Step Brothers, served as the race starter and ran the full 4.2 miles alongside the participants.

  • The 22nd annual Pat's Run took place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The race distance of 4.2 miles honors Tillman's jersey number 42.

The players

Pat Tillman

A former NFL player who gave up his football career to join the U.S. Army after the 9/11 attacks, and was later killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.

Rob Riggle

A Marine veteran, actor, and comedian who served as the race starter for the 22nd annual Pat's Run and ran the full 4.2 miles alongside participants.

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What they’re saying

“I think the world of Pat Tillman. He's an example of what leadership should look like and does look like.”

— Rob Riggle, Marine veteran and comedian

“Someone who put service above self... who walked away from millions of dollars to serve his country, ultimately paying the ultimate price.”

— Rob Riggle, Marine veteran and comedian

“This event is going to raise a lot of money for the Pat Tillman Foundation, which is going to do wonderful things for our veterans... we need people like that who are willing to step up and be of service to their fellow man, and I think this foundation is doing a great job of making that happen.”

— Rob Riggle, Marine veteran and comedian

“For me it's about supporting what he stood for, as well as the cadets that are here that are trying to become officers — and hoping that they gain those leadership skills that will help them succeed in life.”

— Jesse Murphy, Veteran

“It's something that you can give back to not only your community but to your country — and an opportunity to serve something higher than yourself.”

— Jeff Devore, Veteran

What’s next

The Pat Tillman Foundation says this year's Pat's Run was one of the largest in the event's 22-year history, and the funds raised will continue to support the foundation's mission of empowering the next generation of leaders through educational scholarships and programs.

The takeaway

Pat Tillman's legacy of service and sacrifice continues to inspire thousands of people to come together each year for the Pat's Run event, which has grown into a powerful movement honoring his memory and supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and military families through the work of the Pat Tillman Foundation.