 |
| Photo Credit: AP. |
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Thousands of people in cities across the U.S. finished Eliza’s run Friday morning.
The runs
were organized as a tribute to Eliza Fletcher, who was forced into a vehicle
after a struggle during her pre-dawn run last Friday in Memphis, Tennessee. A
suspect was swiftly identified and has been charged with her kidnapping and
murder.
The killing
of the 34-year-old kindergarten teacher and mother of two shocked people
nationwide, and was particularly upsetting to women runners. An obituary
described Fletcher as a “born athlete” who enjoyed spending time outside with
husband and children.
Many female
athletes fear working out alone, at night or in secluded places, and while
crime statistics show such killings are exceedingly rare, many report being
harassed or worse, even in well-populated areas.
In response,
groups of runners decided to “Finish Eliza’s Run” in the pre-dawn darkness
Friday morning, a week after her slaying. Many wore pink tops and purple shorts
in her honor. Groups ran in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and many other
cities and towns around the country. Hundreds logged their runs on a website
dedicated to the event.