Laken Riley memorial 5K to take place Saturday, event name draws community backlash | City News
Almost two years after the homicide of Laken Rileythe University of Georgia and Athens communities will collect at UGA’s Tate Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 21 to honor her reminiscence with a memorial 5K event referred to as “Run for Your Life.”
22-year-old Riley was murdered by Jose Ibarra on Feb. 22, 2024 whereas jogging on UGA’s campus — a dying that devastated the native community and drew nationwide consideration. In November 2024, Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison with out the potential for parole.
Two years later, a race honoring Riley’s reminiscence hopes to deliver the Athens community collectively.
Attendees will take part in a second of silence and reflection earlier than the race begins at 8 am A memorial service open to the general public will take place after the race, that includes phrases from Riley’s household, a sermon from Derek Anglin and a Q&A with US Rep. Mike Collins, writer of the Laken Riley Act.
The event was organized by Elizabeth Sun Designs, a faith-based group that helps outreach and reduction work domestically and internationally. The majority of funds raised from the race will go to The Laken Hope Foundation, a corporation that helps causes reminiscent of security consciousness for girls, help and tuition help for nursing college students and youngsters’s healthcare.
“We want people to know Laken’s life that she lived, not the murder,” Macy Rutledge, founding father of Elizabeth Sun Designs, mentioned. “[We] “I want her to be known for her faith in Jesus and her love for running.”
Rutledge mentioned his mission is to honor Riley’s legacy and religion.
“We partner with organizations that have a similar heart for honoring… a life that also leaves a legacy that’s centered around Christ,” Rutledge mentioned.
Alyssa Fallon, a senior theater main at UGA, famous the significance of celebrating Riley’s life by a 5K.
“I think [the race encourages] young girls, especially young women, to keep running despite setbacks such as fear,” Fallon mentioned. “I also think it’s good awareness. …a lot of negativity has come out of the incident, but positivity has shown up through encouragement for safety among women and young girls who would like to run.”
Colby Cannizzaro, a senior administration info techniques main, might be attending the event not simply to run, however to preserve spirits excessive and inspire others as they run in honor of Riley.
“I want to be Athens’ local hype guy,” Cannizzaro mentioned. “The goal of the hype guy is to keep everyone in the race, giving everything they can for as long as possible. Because when you’re doing these 5Ks, it’s really tough. … I feel that when you have that person next to you running with you, someone to be kind of on your shoulder, giving you that little bit of motivation, I think that’s really what can carry people in through the finish line.”
The title of the event, “’Run for Your Life,” named after a sermon given by Pastor Anglin, raised issues for some UGA college students.
“I think it sounds a little bit insensitive,” Fallon mentioned. “But I would consider [Riley’s family’s] opinions above anything else.”
Elliott Woodward, a junior mechanical engineering main, discovered concerning the event from a poster at his fitness center.
“I think that’s a really weird name,” Woodward mentioned. “I heard that she was a runner, but from what I knew previously, she died running. So I think that it would be almost inappropriate to title a run ‘Run for Your Life’ in her honor.”
At first, Cannizzaro was not in full assist of the name. However, his interpretation modified as he thought extra about it.
“I can understand why ‘Run for Your Life’ could be misconstructed as a bizarre name,” Cannizzaro mentioned. “But at the end of the day, ‘Run for Your Life’ is more about running to be all you can be, and running for the values that Laken Riley believed in.”
Rutledge emphasised the sermon’s particular interpretation of the phrase “Run for Your Life, explaining that the message of the sermon was to “run for your life” in the direction of Jesus.
“[The name] comes with a myriad of meanings, and that’s why it’s really interesting and why it’s picked up a lot of attention, I think, because it really can go in a lot of different directions. The original intent was that it was based around the sermon,” Rutledge mentioned. “It’s also like not [running] for her life, it is [running] for your life. And it’s made to be personal and to acknowledge what has happened.”
For Rutledge and Cannizzaro, the race represents greater than crossing a end line.
“I see so much love and fellowship among people at these events,” Rutledge mentioned. “It’s a time of mourning and a time of joy and worship and prayer.”
“To me, what it’s all about is… let’s get together, let’s have a good time,” Cannizzaro mentioned. “Let’s remember a classmate that we unfortunately lost, and let’s all love each other a little bit more. Let’s all get outside, let’s all exercise, let’s all just be a part of the community. I think that’s what I want it to be.”
Those can join here earlier than 8 am on Saturday, Feb. 21.
