As a runner who participates in various races throughout the year I thought about the recent events that occurred at the 5K in New Jersey and how fortunate everyone was that the race was having a late start. I wondered if in the future runners and walkers who participate in events would stop going to races due to renewed fear of terrorism or if this event would give them more resolve to not let fear rule the American way of life.  I know for me that I will continue to go and not let people who wish to harm others win. One thing I will continue doing is always vigilant about what is happening around me and if I notice something that looks out of place or just not right I will contact the authorities of the race or security that is assigned to the event. This was something that was ingrained through training in my first career in public safety. The other thing that I was taught was to always know where a minimum of two exits are when you are in public. People will always try to leave from the place they entered.  This could create a bottleneck that could cost you and your loved ones dearly. The Department of Homeland Security has a public program that encourages people to say something when a situation does not look right. For more information, go to

https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something

This is not just about races.  It is about being a little more cognizant about what is going on around us. We as Americans should always lookout for one another and offer assistance when the need arises. This is just what we do in the USA.