Travis Barker, the tattooed drummer for the legendary punk band Blink-182, took to the streets of New York to raise money for the charity Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles and New York just hours before Sunday night’s sold-out show at Citi Field.
The morning event, which Barker organized to coincide with Blink’s ongoing “One More Time” tour, quickly became a mecca for fans.
Many runners were wearing Blink-182 shirts, and the band’s hits were played as pre-race music while runners warmed up and stretched before the 3.1-mile race, which started in the stadium parking lot.
“It’s unbelievable to me to see New York like this,” Barker, 48, told The Post.
“I live on the other side of the country, so I think this is just super cool.”
“Even when I come here thinking, ‘I’m just going to take it easy,’ I get so motivated and excited when I see all the people who come here.”
The dexterous drummer’s enthusiasm paid off, and the performance was completed in just under 21 minutes, which was plenty long enough to finish the set in 35 minutes.Number whole.
Not bad for a guy who was seriously injured and barely survived a horrific plane crash in 2008, he admitted.
“After the accident, they told me I might never run again,” Barker said of the accident, which left him with third-degree burns over 70 percent of his body.
“I might never play the drums again. It was just a list of things I couldn’t do. And I had to prove them all wrong,” he continued.
“That led me to a life of health and fitness.”
As part of that journey, the California resident founded a running and wellness organization called Run Travis Run this year, and Sunday’s event will be the organization’s first in New York City.
5K runners were asked to make a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles and New York when they registered.
Barker’s fans were equally thrilled to see him.
“It was exciting,” said Neil Tropel, 36, a photographer and Blink-182 fan who had heard about the race.
“I didn’t know Travis was a runner until I saw a YouTube video,” he said.
“His running journey is so inspiring. Staying healthy, continuing his work as a drummer, he just keeps going. I’m amazed he’s running. He’s doing so well. He looks great for his age.”
Barker said, First Half Marathon in Santa Monica Earlier this year Fake name He and UFC fighter and friend Marlon Tito Vera said they have their eye on next year’s New York City Marathon, even though the lottery closed months ago.
“My bucket list item is to run a marathon,” he said.
“I want to go at least once before the end of the year, so maybe New York! I don’t know, but I’d love to go.”
When asked why his fellow Blink-182 bandmates Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge don’t run together, they said it’s just not their style.
“I don’t think I could make them run if I chased them or if anybody chased them,” Barker said, “but I think they’re saving their energy for the show. I’m confident we can get through this and the show.”
The band is scheduled to play to a crowd of 42,000 at a sold-out show on Sunday night at 7 p.m.
