“The Pat Tillman Foundation is closely monitoring the tragic events that occurred today at the Boston Marathon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families in the wake of this horrific incident. As we move forward for the 9th Annual Pat’s Run, the Tillman Foundation is working closely with the City of Tempe and Tempe Police, Arizona State University, Arizona State University Police Department and additional security to ensure the safety of all our runners and supporters on the ground this weekend. Increased security measures are being put into place as we move forward with the race.”

If you are member of the media seeking comment, please contact Michelle McCarthy at mmccarthy@pattillmanfoundation.org or (201) 675-1063.

Pints for Pat drew an overflow crowd of attendees, including Pat’s Run sponsors, media, Tillman Military Scholars, Tillman Scholars-ASU, Pat’s former Sun Devil football teammates, Team Tillman members and Pat Tillman Foundation staff who gathered to pay tribute to Pat.

As has become tradition, Rula Bula is selling 1,442 commemorative Guinness pint glasses with Pat’s number 42 etched on one side and a word that exemplifies Pat’s character and values on the other side. This year’s edition features the word “Courage.” The glasses are available exclusively at Rula Bula for $10 each while they last. All proceeds benefit the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Ken Kobs, a member of Team Tillman New York, checks out a Guinness Beach Cruiser at last week's Pints for Pat silent auction.

“Pints for Pat” also featured a silent auction that raised approximately $4,000 for the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Rula Bula was an establishment frequented by Pat during his time in Tempe. Following his death in 2004, some of Pat’s friends would order a pint of Guinness whenever they visited the pub and leave the pint sitting untouched on the bar as a tribute to Pat – thus the “Pints for Pat” idea was born.

Thousands of participants lined the streets of Tempe on April 16, 2011 for the 7th Annual Pat's Run.

7th Annual Pat's Run Race Start

Amongst the crowd in gold were 26 of 111 Tillman Military Scholars who made the trip to Tempe to participate in this year’s Pat’s Run.

Tillman Military Scholars Bonnie Contreras (with daughter Kenya) and Patrick Nelson hold the Finish Line tape.

Pat’s teammate and former ASU and NFL quarterback, Jake Plummer, was the official race starter and participants were thrilled to see him back in sunny Arizona.

Official Race Starter and Pat's former Sun Devil and Cardinal teammate, Jake Plummer.

The 4.2 mile run/walk ends on the 42-yard line of Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium, symbolic of the #42 jersey Pat wore while he was a Sun Devil football player. The event also featured a Kids Run where more than 2,300 children participated in a .42 mile race.

Pat's Run Kids Run Start

Through a partnership with the Arizona State University Alumni Association and with support from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 4.2 mile Pat’s Run Shadow Runs were held in 21 cities spanning from San Diego, California to Washington, D.C. Over 1,200 Pat Tillman Foundation supporters joined across the U.S. to shadow the run in Tempe.

San Francisco Shadow Run

In addition, over a thousand servicemembers participated in casual Troop Runs coordinated and organized by U.S. military in Afghanistan, El Salvador, England, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.

Kandahar Airfield Troop Run

More than $1 million was generated at the 7th Annual Pat’s Run which will directly support the Foundation’s mission to invest in veterans and their families through education and community.

Currently, the Pat Tillman Foundation is reviewing 1,242 applications submitted by deserving servicemembers and dependents during the 2011 online application process. In June, the Pat Tillman Foundation will pledge over a million dollars in scholarship support to the third class of Tillman Military Scholars.

To date, the Pat Tillman Foundation has invested over $3.5 million in educational resources to support individuals committed to a life of service both in and out of uniform.