This runner’s journey from Glendale to Ground Zero helped the children of 9/11 victims

Dressed in shorts and a tank top shirt, Eva Casale could have passed for any normal person out for a late summer evening run. But Casale laced up her sneakers Saturday for a great cause.

The long-distance runner from Glen Cove teamed up with Tuesday’s Children, a charity founded to serve the needs of children who lost a parent in the 9/11 attacks to raise attention for the group’s mission as we approach the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

“I was asked by Tuesday’s Children to do something in honor of the 15th anniversary of 9/11 and this is what we decided to do,” said Casale, who has often utilized her running skills to raise money and bring attention to important charities. “I’m more than happy to do it.”

Starting at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday in Glendale and ending at 9:11 a.m. Sunday at Ground Zero, Casale ran, visiting 15 locations where many of the 9/11 victims hailed from. She was due to visit firehouses and 9/11 memorials in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and other parts of the metropolitan area before arriving at the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero.

She kicked off her run Saturday at Glendale’s Dry Harbor Playground at Myrtle Avenue and 80th Street. After laying flowers at Glendale’s 9/11 memorial adjacent to the playground, Casale ran back down to Myrtle Avenue to begin her trek.

At 10 minutes to 7, to the cheers and well-wishing of supporters on the sidewalk, she began running west on Myrtle Avenue toward Brooklyn, disappearing into the setting sun.

Her next stop was Engine Company 237 on Morgan Avenue in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She would reach her final destination, the 9/11 Memorial, in Lower Manhattan, a little more than 14 hours later.

The date Aug. 27 was chosen for the run because it was 15 days before the 15th anniversary of 9/11, Casale said.

Tuesday’s Children was originally founded to serve the children of 9/11 victims and other relatives, but with the terror attacks falling farther in time’s rear view mirror, the children of victims have grown into adults. Now, the charity has branched out into helping first responders and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.

“I think it’s a great cause, and I’m happy to help,” Casale said.