Foley Freedom Run set for Saturday at community center named in his honor

A huge crowd of runners just out of the gate at last year's run. (Rochester Voice file photo)

ROCHESTER - On Saturday the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation will hold its 8th annual James W. Foley Freedom Run in cities across the United States, celebrating the moral courage of Americans like Jim Foley and remembering all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

The New Hampshire run is a 5K run/walk held at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center in Rochester (150 Wakefield Street). Participants begin assembling at 8 a.m. with the run beginning at 10 a.m. A post-race beer garden opens immediately following.

"This year's Foley Freedom Run comes at a poignant time, following the 2022 conviction and sentencing of Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh for their role in the detention, torture, and murder of Americans in Syria, including my son Jim," said Foley Foundation Founder and President Diane Foley. "Accountability is essential to ever deter hostage-taking and impunity."

"The Foley Foundation is deeply grateful to President Biden and the national security officials who are working day and night to bring U.S. nationals home, and for the recent return of American citizens from Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Iran," continued Ms. Foley. "But we cannot rest until every U.S. national being held hostage or unjustly detained overseas is home safely and reunited with their loved ones."

To help, join the 8th annual Foley Freedom Run virtually or in person on Saturday across the U.S., including in New York City, Washington, Chicago, Houston, and Milwaukee. Individual runners are also invited to participate virtually and use #IRunForJim on social media.

For more information visit www.foleyrun.org.