It was a chilly Saturday morning Nov. 15, as hundreds of people congregated outside of VFW Post 3620 on Burlington Street in Gloucester City for the annual U.S. Marine Corporal Marc T. Ryan 5K Memorial Run.
Tragically, the brave soldier was killed in action 21 years ago on Nov. 15, 2024, in Ramadi, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As spectators chatted with each other, the hundreds of runners and walkers gathered behind the starting line on Hudson Street before racing through the streets of Gloucester City.
But first, a New Jersey State Police helicopter excited the crowd with a flyover, followed by a cannon shot to start the race.
Providing the music were bagpipers Kyle McNamee and Nick Wright of the Gloucester City Irish Society Pipe and Drums Band, who played “God Bless America,” the “Marine Corps Hymn,” and the Irish jig, “Rakes of Mallow.”
Participants in the annual 5K Run/Walk included a large group of runners from the Camden County Police Academy, members of the Gloucester City High School and Middle School cross country teams as well as Lions football players who chose to walk.
Also walking behind the fast runners were legendary Gloucester City athlete and football coach Leon Harris and his friend, Dave Thomas, while young Derron Cooney was looking forward to running the race.
Finishing the 5K Run in first in their respective age groups were former Gloucester City High School standout athletes Cassie Francis and AJ Parent.
Many of the participants spoke of the great sacrifice Marc Ryan made to preserve the freedom the citizens of the United States enjoy every day, and were glad to honor him every year by participating in the 5K, which is a fundraiser to provide college scholarships to Gloucester City seniors in high school every year.
