MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Saturday marks five years and one day since Officer Daniel Ellis was shot and killed in the line of duty. The race is a way for people to honor his life and legacy.
It keeps the memory of Officer Ellis in the community he once called home.
"He was a good friend a great coworker. He was somebody everyone loved working with at the police dept. so to be able to continue this and have that memory, it really means a lot," said Chip Gray, former coworker and a friend of Ellis.
He and his widow, Katie, graduated from EKU, started their family in Richmond, and were active in their church.
"I think the community has just healed me. I think grief is one of those things that will creep up and hit you and you just never know but the community, they never left me behind. They have been the wind beneath my wings and their prayers have not gone unnoticed. Richmond is a great place to live and I'm proud to raise my family here," said Katie DeSimone, widow of Officer Ellis.
This year, the race was different due to COVID-19.
No pre-event celebrations are allowed. Events are capped at 200 participants, and they will be started in waves to allow for social distancing.
"It's unfortunate that it's a little bit smaller this year but I think for me it was just a little piece of kind of normal that we could bring to the community and a lot of people are participating at home," said DeSimone.
Spectators are not allowed to gather at the start or finish line. Instead, they're asked to watch from a distance. The awards ceremony has also been canceled. Prizes will be mailed to winners.
The proceeds of the race help those in need in Madison County. You can also donate online here.
