Nurse Completes 24-Hour Memorial Run to Honor Uvalde Victims

UVALDE, Texas — Four years after the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, the profound sense of loss remains deeply felt across Texas. To honor the lives taken, San Antonio nurse and military veteran Paloma Gonzalez returned to Uvalde over the weekend to complete a grueling 24-hour memorial run, turning her steps into scholarship opportunities for local students.

The ultra-marathoner began her tribute at 4:00 PM on Saturday at the Uvalde Town Square, mapping out a strict 5K route that she ran every single hour for 24 consecutive hours. With every step, Gonzalez aimed to honor the memory of the 21 victims—including 19 children and two teachers—who were killed in May 2022. Gonzalez expressed that she wants the families and survivors to know they are not alone and that the surrounding community still stands firmly by their side.

What began as an outside gesture of support has transformed into a deeply personal mission for Gonzalez, who has built lasting friendships with the families of the victims and survivors over the years. This marks her third memorial run. In 2024, she completed a 70-mile trek from San Antonio to Uvalde, but shifted the route entirely within Uvalde city limits last year and this year due to safety concerns.

Beyond raising awareness, the annual event functions as a fundraiser through a GoFundMe page and commemorative t-shirt sales. Every $1,000 raised funds a scholarship for a Uvalde graduate. Having already awarded 10 scholarships over the past two years, Gonzalez hopes to expand the program even further this year to help more local youth achieve their dreams.

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