UA-Fort Smith student runs to honor 911 victims and Charlie Kirk

Connor Bibliano, a sophomore at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, ran 12. 21 miles on Thursday to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Initially aiming for 9. 11 miles, he added distance to reflect his respect for Kirk, who recently faced challenges.

Bibliano started his run with an American flag, winding through downtown Fort Smith, where Fort Smith police provided a rolling escort for safety. Along the way, local resident Matthew Anaya joined him, inspired by the sight of the flag and wanting to represent American values. Bibliano, who serves as president of the Turning Point USA chapter at UAFS, stressed the need for open-minded discussions on campus about political beliefs. He completed the run in approximately two and a half hours, stating that the experience was "brutal, but it was really worth it. " After a short rest, he planned to run another 12.

21 miles later that night in Greenwood. This event reflects a growing community spirit and a commitment to honoring significant national events.