The 4.2 mile run was held in honor of Karina Lau, Travis Layfield, Cesar Granados, Joshua Pickard, Frank Gasper and Lukas Hopper.
Layfield's mother traveled all the way from the city of Fremont in the bay area to attend the run. She said she was touched to see the support from the Merced community.
The run was a part of national "Runs for the Fallen" held across the county Saturday.
The Gold Star families hope to make the Merced run an annual event.