Right to Hike’s 9th Annual Ella’s Run 5k

We’ve all had bad days.  Everybody has stuff they would rather just forget.  Forever.  Julia Karrenbauer and all the friends of Meredith Hope Emerson would prefer to forget the news they heard back in January of 2008.

Meredith had been murdered by a serial killer.  (Thank God, he was captured and convicted for his crimes.)

Instead of trying to forget this innocent victim, her friends formed Right to Hike, a non-profit organization dedicated to her memory and to make trails more safe as a memorial to Meredith.

It’s hard to believe it’s been so long since we lost her.  We will never forget and we will always work to protect trails in her honor.  Such a goal requires more money than friends can ante up.  So, Right to Hike organizes a fund-raiser they call Ella’s Run — a 5k held at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center located in Buford, Georgia.

The 9th Annual Ella’s Run is Saturday, October 22nd, from 9 til noon.

If you’re unfamiliar with why the event is named after Meredith’s black lab, Ella, take a moment and read the story of what happened.  Briefly, Ella was found slain, as searchers were looking for Meredith after her disappearance on New Year’s Day in 2008.  An ID chip in Ella’s body provided law enforcement officials with important clues used in capturing Meredith’s killer.

The 9th Annual Ella’s Run Presented by Georgia’s Own Credit Union is not a morbid event.  It is a celebration of Meredith’s life and a way to make trails safer … because we have a Right to Hike.

This year will, again, feature the traditional 5K course that participants can choose to run or walk, as well as the popular one-mile fun run/walk where you’re encouraged to bring your dog!

Registration will include the race, a custom long-sleeve T-shirt, a festival with fabulous food sponsored by Carrabba’s Italian Grill®, a beer garden sponsored by MillerCoors®, door prizes and vendors who offer gear and goodies for one and all.

Proceeds from this event will go towards Right to Hike’s main focus of donating emergency cell phone units to local parks, trails and greenways.  Thus far, the group has donated eight phones within the Gwinnett Community.  For this year’s event, Right to Hike has received a ninth phone as a donation from the Manufacturer, Rath Security.

Come to run, walk or to remember Meredith Hope Emerson.  Please.

Right to Hike’s 9th Annual Ella’s Run 5k