While in Pensacola, Florida, to run the city’s marathon in honor of Blue Angels pilot Capt. Jeff Kuss, a Durango native who died in a plane crash in June, Iowan Dan Hagerty stopped by the Blue Angels home airfield.
Daniel Hagerty, who ran the Pensacola Marathon in honor of Blue Angels pilot Capt. Jeff Kuss, stopped by The Weather Channel en route to check out conditions for race day.
The family of fallen aviator Capt. Jeff Kuss of the Blue Angels will receive the specially designed jersey, medal, bib, commemorative box and teddy bears in Blue Angels flight suits embroidered with his children’s names from Dan Hagerty, who ran the Pensacola Marathon in Kuss’ name last week.
Iowan Daniel Hagerty, 52, spent almost as much time preparing to honor
Kuss, a Durango native, died in a plane crash June 2.
Hagerty, who has dedicated several marathons to fallen heroes and public figures stricken with cancer, spent months getting permission from the Kuss family, creating a special jersey and working with Marine families to design a bib and the Marine Shop to create a commemorative box for the medal and bib.
He completed the marathon in 6:00:21, the 25th finisher in his division.
While in Pensacola, where the Blue Angels are based, Hagerty also got up close and personal with a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet while wearing his Kuss race jersey.
Herald Staff
