The Corporal Chris Scherer Memorial "I did the grid" run celebrates its 9th year. Chris Scherer was raised in east Northport before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. On July 21, 2007 in the province of Al Anbar, Iraq, Chris lost his life serving the Country he loved. He was felled by a single bullet from the gun of an enemy sniper.

His family honors his memory by hosting this race every year in Northport on Memorial Day weekend. The Corporal Chris Memorial awards three scholarships each year to Northport High School Seniors. One member of varsity boy’s lacrosse, one member of varsity girl’s lacrosse, and one member of the graduating senior class will be eligible for the awards. The foundation also supports troops serving over seas by sending care packages and supplies.

The 4 mile race is held in the neighborhood that Chris Scherer played in when growing up. The neighbors are very supportive with the countless patriotic decorations that you see in their yards. There are plenty of aid stations along the route and the neighbors take it upon themselves to provide additional stations or you may see another neighbor manning a hose on a light spritz to cool off runners going by. Local first responders lend their support by providing first aid or with Fire Department tower ladders hanging an enormous American flag over the route. The route has 37 turns through a supportive and scenic neighborhood.

There are no awards for age groups in this race the family states that on this day we ask that you give up all personal awards and instead wear the names of four fallen heroes on your race bib. You will carry them through the race course and at the finish you will ring a bell one time for each of them to signify on this day that they have been remembered.We encourage you to look up their names online and write a thank you in their online guest books for this will let their families know that their hero has not been forgotten. When you finish the race each runner is asked to ring a bell for the fallen. Once the runner rings the bell they are greeted by a family member who thanks you for coming and presents you with a challenge coin.

The race is easy to register for offering a mail-in registration option, registering online, or day of registration. This year they maxed out on runners. The swag is excellent. Great shirts offered every year along with a challenge coin at the finish line. As mentioned earlier, plenty of aid stations along the route. Plenty of porta-potties=short lines.

I always enjoy running this race but what I enjoy most is being a part of how this family and community celebrates this Marines life.