Ventnor Memorial Day Run Honors Fallen Firefighter Kenny Wayland

Every Memorial Day Weekend, the Ventnor City Fire Department hosts the Kenny Wayland Memorial Run.

The annual run honors fallen Ventnor City Firefighter Kenny Wayland.

Here is how Ventnor City Firefighter Kenny Wayland died in the line of duty in 1972.

A Fire at a Ventnor Boardwalk High-Rise

On December 15th, 1972, a fire was reported at the 5000 Boardwalk beachfront apartment building, and Platoon 1, under the command of Captain Colt Collins, responded to the fire.

Firefighter Kenny Wayland and other platoon members went to the fourth floor and entered the apartment where the fire was blazing.

Wayland was searching for an occupant of the apartment when he became separated from the other members of his team, according to a history of the Ventnor City Fire Department.

Firefighter Wayland Was Trapped in the Burning Apartment

Wayland found himself trapped in the apartment's bedroom as flames began to close in.

Desperate, he went out the fourth-floor apartment window and tried to hang on to the windowsill.

Firefighter Wayland could not hold on.

He jumped from the side of the building and suffered severe injuries. Wayland was transported to the Atlantic City Hospital, where he was placed on a respirator. He never regained consciousness and died five days later.

Kenny Wayland,35, was survived by his wife and son.

The Ventnor City Fire Station 2 in Ventnor Heights is dedicated to his memory.

The Kenny Wayland Memorial Run

Every Memorial Day, the Ventnor City Fire Department hosts a 5K, 10K run, and a 1-mile walk through Downbeach in Kenny's honor.

Over the years, the Ventnor City Firefighters FMBA Local 38 has given out approximantly $100,000 in scholarships to Ventnor City students in memory of Firefighter Wayland.

The 26th Annual Kenny Wayland Memorial 5K & 10K Run will take place on Sunday, May 24, at 9 am. The 5K and 10K race begins at Stratford Place & Atlantic Ave. Finish Line is at New Haven Ave.

The fun walk begins and ends on the Ventnor Boardwalk.