The 5th running of the Run for the Blue 5K and 1 Mile run/walk, took place July 31, 2021, at Dallas City Hall. The race drew more than 4500 runners who braved the hot weather on a quest to support families of those who were injured or killed in the line of duty. 

Run for the Blue was founded in response to July 7, 2016, when five police officers were killed and eight police officers were injured in an ambush on the Dallas Police Department, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police, and El Centro College Police. Although the event was virtual last year due to Covid, this year brought runners from all over the country, including some from the NYPD. 

Both the 5K and 1 Mile courses saw a different scenery from the races of the previous years. Runners used to meet in the west Dallas, Trinity Groves area, but this year visited Downtown Dallas at City Hall. “This was definitely different than the other times I ran,” a running participant stated. “As I am running, I get to enjoy the beautiful downtown views and support our heroes all at the same time, what else can I ask for.”

This is the largest law enforcement run in the country and all proceeds benefited the Blue Guardian Foundation, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.