The rain held out until most of the scores of participants had crossed the finish line Saturday morning at the fifth annual Jersey City Fire Capt. Mark Lee 5K Walk/Run in Liberty State Park.
Lee was a 9/11 first responder who died on May 9, 2014, from respiratory problems. He was active in his community throughout his life, volunteering for the Special Olympics Torch Run and Fireman's Picnic and leading the Jersey City Fire Department's holiday toy drive.
"It's an emotional roller coaster," said Jersey City Firefighter Mark Lee Jr. after finishing the run honoring his father in just under 20 minutes. "But it's for a good cause so we put the emotions aside and we do it in honor of him."
Lee Sr.'s wife, Cheryl, was also at the run, as was his brother, Joseph, and grandson, Sebastian.