OZARK, Arkansas — A group of runners right here in 5COUNTRY is honoring our nation's heroes – one mile at a time.
Arkansas Run for the Fallen honors all Arkansans killed in active duty since 9/11, and this year is the group's 12th year.
They're running one mile for every hero lost – and the starting line is in Ozark.
"Every name is important. Because every name is a mom or dad, sister or brother, husband or wife, and to hear those names... you just hope that when you die, somebody remembers you," said Bubba Beason, founder of Arkansas Run for the Fallen.
Arkansas Run for the Fallen started in Ozark on Friday morning with the first group of runners beginning the trek to the Arkansas Capitol in Little Rock.
Every mile represents the life of an Arkansan who was killed in the line of duty. Runners stop and place a flag to honor that hero – and along the way, honor their families as well.
"Every mile we will place a U.S. flag with a bio and a picture and a story of that fallen hero," Beason said. "So, every 10 minutes, we're going to honor another hero."
Beason said the group is in touch with about 80 of the 155 families who lost someone, and that those moments between every mile are powerful for those families. "Because, you know, their loved one died 15-20 years ago and to hear their name again, being honored like that, is important," Beason said.
The run goes from Ozark to Russellville on Friday and continues to Conway on Saturday, and then to the finish line in Little Rock on Sunday.
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