J.T. Service J.D. ’08, founder of Soul Focus Sports, organized the San Jose 408K Race to the Row, an 8K run on March 11, 2012.

Service got the idea for the race after his company was hired to produce the Giant Race for the San Francisco Giants, which offers half-rathon, 10K and 5K courses, all ending on the Giants home field in AT&T Park. 

"There was something about their connection with the people who felt it was their team and their city," Service said in an article published by the San Jose Mercury News. "About 85 percent of the people running were from San Francisco, and everyone would wear their Giants gear. I felt there needed to be something for San Jose replicating that feel."

The HP Pavilion was chosen for the start and Santana Row for the finish, he said, because they are two of the most prominent landmarks in San Jose.

The Pat Tillman Foundation is the charity partner; Service ran in the San Jose version of Pat’s Run before it was discontinued locally and relocated to Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, where it is now held each April. 

The funds raised by The San Jose 408K will be used by the Pat Tillman Foundation for its programs, including the Tillman Military Scholars program, which provides financial support for active and veteran service members and their spouses to complete degree programs.