LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — More than 75 runners took to the streets of Lexington's East End Saturday morning for the Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame 3K race, an event organizers say was especially meaningful in the wake of a deadly shooting that shook the community weeks earlier.
This year's race began at the historic Lyric Theatre, with the course running into the grounds of the Lexington Roots and Heritage Festival for the first time. It was also the first-ever "curated public running course " through the East End, according to organizers.
The event honors the youth in Lexington affected by gun violence, particularly following the shooting at Charles Young Park, just blocks from the start line, during the East End Day event on Aug. 15. The shooting killed 16-year-old Di'Zhon Robertson and injured four others, including a 4-year-old, a 14-year-old, a 39-year-old and a 41-year-old. An 18-year-old has been charged in connection with the shooting.
Race Director and LAASHOF Publicity Team Captain Danielle Meadows-Stinnett said the event was an opportunity to stand together as a community.
"We are proud and honored to give space for our youth through the Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame," Meadows-Stinnett said. "It is crucial now more than ever that the community stands together, looks after our youth, and stands in solidarity. We hope to continue this race event."
WLEX news anchor Larry Smith served as emcee for the event, which supports the local African American sporting community.
Facebook 
TikTok 
YouTube
Instagram
Threads
X