Hawaii's boot-lined race for US fallen heroes

Thousands of people have taken part in the Tripler Fisher House Hero and Remembrance Run, Walk or Roll on 7 September in Hawaii, USA. Boots lined the route in Pearl Harbor to honour military personnel who have died since 9/11.

The Bronze Boots represent the military unit that had the most participation. The 3BSTB Bayonets, U.S. Army earned them this year.

Theresa Johnson, whose husband Leon is serving in Fort Hood, Texas, runs the Tripler Fisher House in Hawaii. She came up with the idea of the boot-lined run last year after her friend's child was killed while serving in the military.

Theresa said she wanted to bring the names and faces back of all those who have died since 9/11, instead of just referring to numbers.

The aim of the run is to raise awareness, and is open to everyone - of any age.

Every boot has a story. Relatives and friends added their own personal touches to some of the boots en route.

This year around 7,000 people took part in the event, around 2,000 more than last year.

Some of the participants wanted to make the run a little more challenging than expected. At one point there was some rain, which was described as a "liquid blessing" by the race organiser.

Admiral Cecil D Haney, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet and Theresa Johnson, the race organiser, proudly wore Fisher House Hero and Remembrance T-shirts. Theresa told the BBC after the race, "I'm already thinking about next year and what we can do to make it better."

Prior to the race, there was a sea of boots to be placed evenly along the 8km route.

One runner takes a moment with a boot.

Many people were running in memory of loved ones.

"People in the community have reached out. If you share passion and a story with someone, they will get involved" says race organiser Theresa Johnson.

Organiser Theresa Johnson says the goal was to educate and share stories, not to make money out of the fallen.