On Tuesday, February 20th, many runners around the country and particularly New Jersey posted pictures and videos of their run that day to social media with a special meaning behind them. It was all in support of the survivors as well as in remembrance of of the Stoneman Douglas shooting victims in Parkland, Florida. To show them they aren't alone and that we are all one community.
The idea came from one of New Jersey's own cross country powerhouses. Christian Brothers Academy's Head Cross Country Coach Sean McCafferty reached out to NJ MileSplit on the 17th of February to help get the word out.
"We hope every team and runner across the country can get out for a run and post a photo on Instagram or Twitter. Let's use #runwithcoachbeigel and #runwithMSDXC to let the students and staff in Parkland know that they have friends in the running community."
Hundreds posted online using the hashtags #runwithcoachbeigel and #runwithMSDXC. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Cross Country Coach, Scott Beigel, was among those 17 killed in the mass shooting on February 14th while helping students into his classroom to escape the gunfire.
This was all coinciding with Parkland's own event on the same day, setup by their cross country team and spreading the word using the very same hashtags started by McCafferty. Thousands gathered at Pine Trails Park in Parkland, Florida to run in remembrance of the victims.
Reflecting on the success on the social media tribute CBA's McCafferty had this to say, "The running community is different than most sports," McCafferty said. "Running is not an exclusive club that requires membership fees or even any ability. If you can put one foot in front of the other, you are a runner. The running community has embraced each other and continues to grow. This moment shows how dynamic the running world can be." - An excerpt from CBA's athletic department.
Below are just some of the posts from the tribute, you can view them all by clicking through #runwithcoachbeigel and #runwithMSDXC on Twitter or Instagram.