The fifth Annual Ryan Owens Memorial Run is set for Saturday, November 13 on Deerfield Beach. Organized by The Naked Warrior Project, the run pays tribute to Fallen Navy SEAL, Ryan Owens, who grew up in Fort Lauderdale and was killed in action on January 29, 2017, an event widely covered by the media.
The four-mile beach run on Deerfield Beach is fashioned after the weekly timed beach runs in Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training that candidates must pass. Runners of all levels are welcome. Limited to 500 runners, the race will be timed and medals awarded. The entry fee is $40. A one-mile Kids Fun Run is $20 for ages 12 and under and includes a t-shirt and a medal. Divisions include: Athena/Clydesdale, First Responder, and Navy SEAL, and awards will be given for Top Male & Female, Top Masters Male & Female, Clydesdale, First Responder, and Top 3 in each age group, Male and Female.
Runners over age 21 will receive one free beer or bottled water with sign-up. An on-site, post-race party will feature a DJ, food and beverages for purchase and activities for kids. All money raised will go to the Ryan Owens Memorial and to aid injured Navy SEALs in their recovery.
Location
Deerfield Beach Main Beach Parking Lot
149 SE 21st Avenue
Deerfield Beach, Florida
Timeline
- 6:00-7:30AM Registration
- 7:30AM Opening Ceremonies
- 8:00AM Race Start
- 9:30AM Kids Run Start
“We run this race to honor the life of Navy SEAL Ryan Owens, who gave his life in service to our country,” said John Owens, founder of the Naked Warrior Project, retired Navy SEAL and brother of Ryan Owens. “I began this organization in 2017 to ensure that the memory of these brave warriors and their sacrifices are never forgotten.”
Following the run, the organization’s annual dinner and silent auction will be held at the Privaira Private Air Charter Hangar at the Boca Raton Airport, November 13th at 6:30PM. Dinner tickets are $150 per person which also includes cocktails and hor d’oeuvres.
Silent auction items include premier firearms by Palm Beach Tactical, diving trips, tactical gear, fishing charters, lady’s jewelry, and long-range hunting trips with a Navy SEAL sniper. Dinner sponsorship opportunities are available at different levels. Silent auction items are welcomed.
The mission of the 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization is to memorialize fallen Navy SEALs, help injured Navy SEALs in their recovery and provide support to their families through education, connecting families and building memorials. The organization holds several other annual fundraising events including a fishing tournament and golf outings.
The fifth Annual Ryan Owens Memorial Run is sponsored by Tropic Ocean Airways, Palm Beach Tactical, REDCON1, Man-O-War, Privaira Private Aviation, Black Hills Beef, Island Water Sports, 4 Ever Young and Shadow Graphics.
To register for the run, learn more about sponsorships and donations and for more information please visit, NakedWarriorProject.org. Like on Facebook @ryanowensmemorialrun and @nakedwarriorproject. Follow on Instagram @ryanowensmemorialrun @nakedwarriorproject.
The Origin of Naked Warriors
In early 1944 during World War II, sailors were clearing boat channels across the South Pacific to make way for troop landings. These units were called Underwater Demolition Teams, and they are the only naval special warfare units that remained after World War II. The focus was on swimming. These troops, who became known as “frogmen,” went on missions clad in swim trunks, fins and a face mask and carried a K-Bar knife. As a result, they got the nickname “Naked Warriors,” the forefathers of today’s Navy SEALs.