The D.C Raymond M. Downey 'Forever Running' Memorial 5K Run/Walk
- Date Sun 21st June 2026 - Sun 28th June 2026
- Time 9:30AM EDT
- Location Deer Park, New York
- Price $28.50 - $33.75
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
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Event summary
Join us for the 25th Anniversary of the D.C. Raymond M. Downey "Forever Running" Memorial 5K Run/Walk from June 21 to June 28, 2026, in the picturesque Deer Park, Suffolk. This uplifting event honors the legacy of Chief Raymond M. Downey and all those who bravely lost their lives on September 11, 2001, as well as those affected by 9/11-related illnesses. The 5K course is USATF certified and offers a fast and flat route that runs through the heart of Deer Park, including the iconic D.C. Raymond M. Downey Memorial Road.
Whether you choose to participate in the live event on June 21 at 9:30 AM or opt for the virtual run that allows you to join from anywhere, your involvement helps keep the spirit of community and remembrance alive. With awards for top finishers across various age categories, as well as special recognitions for firefighters, law enforcement, and military personnel, this event promises to be both competitive and heartwarming. Don't miss out on this meaningful opportunity to honor a true hero while enjoying a day of fitness and camaraderie. Sign up early for the best rates and be part
Whether you choose to participate in the live event on June 21 at 9:30 AM or opt for the virtual run that allows you to join from anywhere, your involvement helps keep the spirit of community and remembrance alive. With awards for top finishers across various age categories, as well as special recognitions for firefighters, law enforcement, and military personnel, this event promises to be both competitive and heartwarming. Don't miss out on this meaningful opportunity to honor a true hero while enjoying a day of fitness and camaraderie. Sign up early for the best rates and be part
Organiser's Description
THE D.C. RAYMOND M DOWNEY "FOREVER RUNNING" MEMORIAL 5K RUN/WALK
NEW COURSE AND LOCATION
The Downey family is looking forward to gathering once again for the 25th Anniversary of the D.C. Raymond M. Downey Forever Running Memorial 5K Run/Walk, and we warmly invite you to join us in continuing this meaningful tradition.
This event is our way of honoring the memory of our dad, Chief Raymond M. Downey, as well as all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and those who have since passed from 9/11-related illnesses. Each year, your presence helps keep their legacy alive in a powerful and heartfelt way.
We are deeply grateful for the incredible support and love shown by the Deer Park community and the running community over the past 25 years. Your participation, encouragement, and commitment have made this event not only possible, but truly special.
For those who are unable to attend in person, we are once again offering a Virtual 5K Run so you can still be part of the day, no matter where you are.
Thank you to our family, friends, volunteers, and all who have taken part over the years. Your continued support means more to us than we can ever fully express.
We hope to see you at the starting line.
DATE:
SUNDAY JUNE 21ST LIVE RUN
SUNDAY JUNE 21TH TO SUNDAY JUNE 28TH VIRTUAL RUN
TIMES:
9:30 AM LIVE 5 K RUN
RUN ANYTIME ANYWHERE FOR VIRTUAL RUN
APPLICATION FEES:
RAY DOWNEY "FOREVER RUNNING" ONLINE LIVE RACE FEE $25- BEFORE APRIL 15TH
Ray Downey "Forever Running" Online Live Race Fee $30- After April 15th
RAY DOWNEY VIRTUAL RACE FEE $30
DAY OF RACE FEES :
RAY DOWNEY "FOREVER RUNNING" ONLINE LIVE RACE FEE $40 DOLLARS
COURSE:
5K (3.1 MILES) FAST & FLAT RUN THRU DEER PARK. PASSES DOWN D.C. RAYMOND M. DOWNEY MEMORIAL RD. USATF CERTIFIED AND SANCTIONED.
AWARDS:
PLAQUES PRESENTED TO THE FIRST PLACE 5K WINNERS (MALE & FEMALE)
TOP 3 MALES & FEMALES IN THE FOLLOWING AGE GROUPS:
10 & UNDER, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74,75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-100
TOP WHEELCHAIR AND ALL SPECIAL OLYMPIANS
RAY DOWNEY SPECIAL AWARDS:
TOP DEER PARK TEACHERS (MALE & FEMALE)
HARRY FORD TOP FDNY SOC FIRE FIGHTER
BRIAN FAHEY TOP FIRE FIGHTER
TOP 3 FIRE FIGHTERS
TOP 3 LAW ENFORCEMENT
TOP 3 MILITARY,
TEAM DIVISIONS GENE DOWNEY FDNY FIREHOUSE TEAM
JOHN & MICHAEL DOWNING BEST COMBINED TIME-FATHER & SON, FATHER & DAUGHTER
BEST COMBINED TIME MALE & FEMALE (OPEN & MASTERS) OF THE D.C. RAY DOWNEY & THE D. LERNER ASSOC. L.I. POLICE APPRECIATION RACE
N0 DUPLICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
KIDS FUN RUN:
(NO FEE) REG. 8:00-9:00 A.M. RACE DAY
SCHOLARSHIP CHARITY FUND
AFFECTIONATELY REFERRED TO AS "THE MASTER OF DISASTER" AND "GOD," DEPUTY CHIEF RAYMOND M. DOWNEY, COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (SOC), DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, WHILE HELPING OTHERS ESCAPE FROM THE FIRE AND COLLAPSE SCENE OF THE TWIN TOWERS AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. THE FIRE SERVICE WAS A MAJOR FORCE IN HIS LIFE, AS EVIDENCED BY HIS STERLING CAREER. HE TRULY WAS A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME.
AS A TRIBUTE TO CHIEF DOWNEY'S LEGACY, HIS FAMILY HAS ESTABLISHED THE D.C. RAYMOND DOWNEY SCHOLARSHIP CHARITY FUND TO KEEP HIS MEMORY ALIVE AND TO BENEFIT THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT CHIEF DOWNEY CHERISHED.
NEW COURSE AND LOCATION
The Downey family is looking forward to gathering once again for the 25th Anniversary of the D.C. Raymond M. Downey Forever Running Memorial 5K Run/Walk, and we warmly invite you to join us in continuing this meaningful tradition.
This event is our way of honoring the memory of our dad, Chief Raymond M. Downey, as well as all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and those who have since passed from 9/11-related illnesses. Each year, your presence helps keep their legacy alive in a powerful and heartfelt way.
We are deeply grateful for the incredible support and love shown by the Deer Park community and the running community over the past 25 years. Your participation, encouragement, and commitment have made this event not only possible, but truly special.
For those who are unable to attend in person, we are once again offering a Virtual 5K Run so you can still be part of the day, no matter where you are.
Thank you to our family, friends, volunteers, and all who have taken part over the years. Your continued support means more to us than we can ever fully express.
We hope to see you at the starting line.
DATE:
SUNDAY JUNE 21ST LIVE RUN
SUNDAY JUNE 21TH TO SUNDAY JUNE 28TH VIRTUAL RUN
TIMES:
9:30 AM LIVE 5 K RUN
RUN ANYTIME ANYWHERE FOR VIRTUAL RUN
APPLICATION FEES:
RAY DOWNEY "FOREVER RUNNING" ONLINE LIVE RACE FEE $25- BEFORE APRIL 15TH
Ray Downey "Forever Running" Online Live Race Fee $30- After April 15th
RAY DOWNEY VIRTUAL RACE FEE $30
DAY OF RACE FEES :
RAY DOWNEY "FOREVER RUNNING" ONLINE LIVE RACE FEE $40 DOLLARS
COURSE:
5K (3.1 MILES) FAST & FLAT RUN THRU DEER PARK. PASSES DOWN D.C. RAYMOND M. DOWNEY MEMORIAL RD. USATF CERTIFIED AND SANCTIONED.
AWARDS:
PLAQUES PRESENTED TO THE FIRST PLACE 5K WINNERS (MALE & FEMALE)
TOP 3 MALES & FEMALES IN THE FOLLOWING AGE GROUPS:
10 & UNDER, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74,75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-100
TOP WHEELCHAIR AND ALL SPECIAL OLYMPIANS
RAY DOWNEY SPECIAL AWARDS:
TOP DEER PARK TEACHERS (MALE & FEMALE)
HARRY FORD TOP FDNY SOC FIRE FIGHTER
BRIAN FAHEY TOP FIRE FIGHTER
TOP 3 FIRE FIGHTERS
TOP 3 LAW ENFORCEMENT
TOP 3 MILITARY,
TEAM DIVISIONS GENE DOWNEY FDNY FIREHOUSE TEAM
JOHN & MICHAEL DOWNING BEST COMBINED TIME-FATHER & SON, FATHER & DAUGHTER
BEST COMBINED TIME MALE & FEMALE (OPEN & MASTERS) OF THE D.C. RAY DOWNEY & THE D. LERNER ASSOC. L.I. POLICE APPRECIATION RACE
N0 DUPLICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
KIDS FUN RUN:
(NO FEE) REG. 8:00-9:00 A.M. RACE DAY
SCHOLARSHIP CHARITY FUND
AFFECTIONATELY REFERRED TO AS "THE MASTER OF DISASTER" AND "GOD," DEPUTY CHIEF RAYMOND M. DOWNEY, COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (SOC), DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, WHILE HELPING OTHERS ESCAPE FROM THE FIRE AND COLLAPSE SCENE OF THE TWIN TOWERS AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. THE FIRE SERVICE WAS A MAJOR FORCE IN HIS LIFE, AS EVIDENCED BY HIS STERLING CAREER. HE TRULY WAS A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME.
AS A TRIBUTE TO CHIEF DOWNEY'S LEGACY, HIS FAMILY HAS ESTABLISHED THE D.C. RAYMOND DOWNEY SCHOLARSHIP CHARITY FUND TO KEEP HIS MEMORY ALIVE AND TO BENEFIT THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT CHIEF DOWNEY CHERISHED.
Races
-
DC Raymond M Downey "Forever Running" Memorial 5K Run/Walk
Incl. $3.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 21st June 2026 (9:30AM EDT)
$28.50
This event is a Live event this year. It will be held at the Deer Park Fire Department Training Center in Deer Park. Runners will Run/Walk through the streets around the Center -
Run Anywhere Virtual 5K
Incl. $3.75 Fee & T-Shirt
$33.75
What is a virtual race? A virtual race is an event that can be completed in your own location. You decide where you will run it, you map out your own race route, run or walk the designated miles, and report your participation online. You can run it in your neighborhood, on local trails, on a track, on a treadmill, or even at a local organized race. The beauty of a virtual race is that you choose the location! What if Im not fast? Doesnt matter!! Our virtual races do NOT go by time since there is no way to compare courses, terrain, weather, or prove distance/times are accurate. Our virtual races will just have you submit a time to show you did it Do I need a garmin or some proof to show my time/distance? Yes our Virtual Race works with The Racejoy App for your phone. Why do people participate in virtual races? Virtual races can be used as a motivation or training tool. Once you commit to the miles, you'll want to get out there and follow through. Another reason people participate in virtual races is because there may not be any traditional organized races nearby and it is fun way to be a part of a bigger running community without having to travel anywhere. How do I know how far I ran? Since you don't have the benefit of a preplanned race course with mile markers in a virtual race, you will have to figure out how to log the distance you will run. If you don't have a GPS watch to track your mileage, there are a couple of other ways to document your distance. There are websites like Map My Run that allow you to create your own race route online. You can also use running apps like RunKeeper or Runtastic that use the GPS on your phone to log your distance. If all that technology is too much for you, you could simply get in your car and map out the mileage in your car. We are excited to share that auto result submission for virtual events is now available in RunSignups race day app, RaceJoy. Those participants using RaceJoy for GPS tracking and cheer sending, will have their GPS-based results automatically submitted to the race as they cross the finish line. For events using RunSignups Virtual Results, this data will then be scored and comparative results will be displayed in the app and other outlets like the races website. RaceJoy delivers progress alerts at every mile along the course to participants and to those tracking them without the need for timing equipment. Races can monitor participants progress through the RaceJoys monitoring dashboard. As finishing times are submitted, scored results appear in the app as shown below. Finisher data is issued to RunSignups Virtual Results platform where it is scored and then distributed to RaceJoy and the events website. Timers and race organizers have the option to set up Enhanced Results where they can review and approve results as they are submitted. Should the participant need to adjust their results, they can easily do this by clicking on the Result Questions banner ad shown on the screen below.
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973 Nicolls Road, Deer Park, 11729, NY, United States
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The D.C Raymond M. Downey 'Forever Running' Memorial 5K Run/Walk
