Remembering a fallen hero: Dan Healy Memorial 5K run/walk set for Nov. 7
EXETER — After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to go virtual last year, the 7th annual Dan Healy Memorial 5K road race is back and in person this Sunday.
Gold Star mother Natalie Healy, the race organizer, said the return to an in-person race will offer her and the Dan Healy Foundation a great opportunity to raise more money.
The race raises funds for the foundation that are donated to Seacoast veterans, area single mothers and gives scholarships to local students pursuing trade schools or a career in the military in memory of Dan, a Navy SEAL killed fighting in Afghanistan in 2005.
“It’s wonderful to help veterans, students and families here on the Seacoast,” Healy said. “Now that the race is up to full speed again, we’ll be able to help more people.”
The race starts and ends at Exeter’s Recreation Park at 4 Hampton Road at 11 a.m. and leaves the park up Route 27 towards downtown before turning onto Route 88, over to Little Pine Lane, back onto Route 88, up Ashbrook Road, and back down Route 27 to the park. Healy said there will be a silent auction and a raffle. She said a New England Patriots helmet signed by Head Coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft that was given to the Healy family by the team will also be on display.
Healy said there are currently 250 runners signed up and registration is open until an hour before the race starts.
“It’s about the same number as we’ve had in the past, we’ll get a lot of people who sign up last minute when they know what the weather is going to be,” Healy said. “It’s a gratifying route for people, and I hope to see a lot of families because it’s a run/walk race. It goes right by Dan’s childhood neighborhood on Little Pine Lane, so it’s really special.”
Dan was killed in action during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. His helicopter was shot down attempting to rescue a SEAL reconnaissance team. Her son’s mission was captured in the book “Lone Survivor" by former SEAL Marcus Lattrell, who was portrayed in the 2013 movie of the same name and played by Mark Wahlberg.
Healy said the race typically raises around $30,000 for her son’s foundation between race registrations and sponsorships. She said she wanted to especially extend her thanks to Neil Anastas, of Seacoast Harley Davidson in North Hampton, and the nonprofit, Swim with a Mission for their continued support.
“With COVID, we weren’t sure if we were even going to be able to have the race this year,” Healy said. “We wanted to make sure it’s safe for everyone, and we hope everyone follows the safety protocols.”
To register for the race or to donate to the Dan Healy Foundation, visit TheDanHealyFoundation.org.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Navy Seal Dan Healy Memorial 5k returns to Exeter NH
