On Sunday, January 7, 2024, the Salesianum Community honored Tyler Brown, a former student, by holding the Sixth Annual “Tyler Brown’s ‘I Hate to Run’” Memorial 5K and 10K run and walk.  

  Tyler Brown was a Salesianum student, an artist, an athlete, and an active member of the community. Tyler was a Salesianum senior preparing to graduate and attend Syracuse University to study architectural design. Tragically, on March 11, 2016, he was killed in a car crash, which had a huge impact on the people around him. “I was at his funeral, and I saw the impact that his death had on the community. So being able to honor the young man…he was a really great person all the way around,” said Father Brian Zumbrum, a priest at Salesianum and a participant in the event. 

On Sunday, the event included a 5k race, a 10k race, a raffle, and more. Many students and faculty participated, along with people from the community to honor Tyler Brown. Some students volunteered as course marshalls, and others stepped forward to assist in other capacities. So many members of the Sallies community showed up to contribute and to help the day become a festive atmosphere. 

The first race to start this year was the 10k run. There were around twenty-five runners in the 10k, and they were led off by a police officer on a motorcycle. The winning runner in the 10k had a time of just under thirty-eight minutes. One runner in 10k, a freshman at Sallies, said, “This event is a very good cause, and I am very interested in supporting it.”

Shortly after the 10k started, the 5k kicked off. One hundred and fourteen people participated in the 5k, also guided by a police officer riding a motorcycle. The route of the 5k started at Abessinio Stadium, passed by the Brandywine Creek and up a steep brick street by the zoo, and eventually ended back at Abessinio. The winning time of the 5k was 20:58 seconds. 

After the race, there was plenty of good food, music, and raffles. Pizza, drinks, desserts, and more were provided, and there were heaters all around. Most of the participants stayed for a while after the races to socialize and to hang out. 

The money generated from this event funds a scholarship in Tyler Brown’s name that helps a young man attend Sallies. This year, the races alone raised approximately $4,500 to benefit the Tyler Brown Memorial Scholarship. Sponsorships, additional donations, and the raffle will bring more money to fund the Tyler Brown Memorial Scholarship. 

Initially, the “Tyler Brown ‘I Hate to Run’” Memorial Run raised money for Tyler’s Camp.  Tyler’s Camp was a summer program that offered Delaware’s less fortunate students an opportunity to explore new thoughts and discover skills.

Tyler Brown was an inspiration to many and led a very admirable life. He impacted many of his peers, so much so that we still honor him today. The Tyler Brown Memorial Event created a positive environment, with people coming together to support a good cause. The event provided a way to help Tyler’s legacy to continue and to affect lives for years to come.