Phoenix run to honor cancer victim, raise money to combat human trafficking

PHOENIX — In an effort to combat human trafficking and honor a cancer victim, Phoenix will join nine other major cities across the nation in a run to raise awareness and money for the cause.

The marathon, called Run #LizzyStrong, will be a 4.11-mile run that is intended to remember Lizzy Shepherd while fighting for a cause she was passionate about.

Shepherd died from cervical cancer in October 2015 at the age of 29, just 15 months after giving birth to a premature baby girl.

Her husband, Chris, said in a press release he was looking for a way to honor his wife when it hit him: a run.

Why a 4.11 mile run and goal of $41,100? That would be because Lizzy ran 411 straight days.

“Liz was passionate about two things: running and eradicating injustice from the world, especially human trafficking,” the release read. “It only made sense for us to do a run to raise funds to fight human trafficking in honor of Liz.”

The simultaneous run will take place on Saturday across 10 major cities, including New York, San Diego, Dallas, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Detroit.

Arizona runners will meet at Tempe Town Lake at 8:45 a.m. for their run at 9 a.m.

Participants are aiming to raise $41,100 to donate to Out of Ashes and Venture, two anti-human trafficking organizations that Lizzy supported.

For those who will not be able to make it to the run but still want to donate to the cause, you can do so here.

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