MEMPHIS, Tenn — Nearing the second anniversary of the death of Eliza Fletcher, runners went out before sunrise on Friday morning to finish the running route Fletcher could not.
Two years ago, Eliza Fletcher was running on the University of Memphis campus when she was forced into a car after a struggle at roughly 4 a.m. on September 2, 2022, according to Memphis Police. Investigators said her body was found on three days later behind a vacant home, following a days long search.
Her case became notorious as the investigation of her death resurfaced the issue of thousands of untested rape kits.
Currently, a man called Cleotha Abston is facing charges in Fletcher’s abduction and death. Abston was also identified in another rape investigation just one year prior, for which he was found guilty of.
The series of events struck a chord in the running community throughout Memphis and the world. Several people were looking to find ways to honor Fletcher. One of them was Danielle Heineman.
In 2022, Heineman posted on Facebook “Let’s Finish Liza’s Run,” and only intended to get a few friends to run and finish Eliza's route, but eventually the post spread like wildfire. This year on August 30, the community showed up again to finish the route Fletcher never got the chance to.
“A devoted mother and wife, a beloved daughter," Charlie Hayden said before runners took off Friday. "She is the reason we’re here.”
The run is not a fundraiser, but for many runners like Hayden, who serves as the Director of the run, it is a chance for the Bluff city to come together in solidarity, and remembrance of Fletcher. Racers were led by members of the cycling group that Fletcher's husband was a part of.
“We’re going to do what we can to finish her run, carry her torch, and make this city a little bit brighter,” Hayden said.
This year the Race Roster shows more than 700 people registered for the run. For some runners like EC Taylor and Anika Gaska, this was their first time.
“For me it was all about supporting the community and the community of runners, and making sure everyone is able to run safely in the morning,” Gaska said.
Although many attendees did not personally know Fletcher, they gathered in support of someone who was part of their community.
“It’s really awesome to see the Memphis community come out and support this cause. I mean the fact that this is her normal route, it’s just crazy to think that this could happen to anybody,” Taylor said.
While the original run took place here in the Bluff City, versions of it have been see all over the world. During the first year following her murder, runners carried Fletcher's memory throughout the US, and abroad in France, Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa.
"People were taking pictures and posting," Hayden said. "The family got to see that, we got to see that. "
While the race was early, step by step, runners were dedicated to keeping Fletcher's memory alive, and show their fellow runners they have their back
“We both want to be able to run safe in this community,” Taylor said.
