Former RPD officer finishes multi-state marathon in honor of slain colleague

Taylor Liberti News10NBC

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Since April 23, Brett Sobieraski has run a marathon every day through eight states in honor of fallen RPD Officer Tony Mazurkiewicz.

Sobieraski did so in honor of Mazurkiewicz, who was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. “8 States for Maz” aims to raise $100,000 for the Mazurkiewicz family.

Sobieraski finished his epic journey on Sunday. He was joined for the last three miles by local Rochester runners and supporters, ending at the memorial for fallen officers in front of the Hall of Justice.

The run was followed by a welcome home celebration attended by the Mazurkiewicz family.

Mazurkiewicz and his partner, Officer Sino Seng, were ambushed on Bauman Street. He was a 29-year member of the force.

“We brought over 800 runners and well over 1,000 people together to honor his sacrifice almost a year later and to provide comfort to a family that’s lost so much and been devastated. You can’t believe what this love and support and fellowship and brotherhood and sisterhood is doing to that family. We’re changing their lives,” Sobieraski said.

Crossing the finish line Sunday morning after a 1,247-mile run up the east coast, from Florida to New York, retired RPD Officer Bret Sobieraski said it was all worth it.

“People just told me to do a marathon in eight states. That’s do eight of them and that would never match Tony’s personality. That would never match Tony’s sacrifice, so I had to do something that would match that and this was it,” Sobieraski said.

Starting his run on April 23rd in Florida, Sobieraski ran 26.2 miles each day which is the equivalent of a full marathon every day for 50 days. until he reached his destination at the Hall of Justice in Rochester this morning.

“I’m running down Elmwood Avenue and there is a man waiting on the corner for me and he passes me a check for $1000 dollars. I’m sitting in line here, and has about 1800 kids. They hand me a check for $500. That’s the graciousness and the generosity I’ve seen over 1300 miles across 8 states,” Sobieraski said.

The “Eight States for Maz” run began as a way to honor fallen RPD officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz and raise $100,0000 for his wife Lynn and their 4 children.

Taking the stage after watching Bret and a crowd of runners run across the finish line, Lynn took the stage to reflect.

“Time is so valuable. You’ve chosen to come here today to show our family support and ya know Bret told me back in April that I would see an army. and he absolutely produced one,” Lynn said.

An amazing accomplishment and a testament to the comradery the men and women in blue have toward the community and each other.

Runner Jake Coonman said that “It was really tough after he passed away, but to see how everyone has come together. It’s really inspiring.”

News10NBC’s coverage of 8 States for Maz: