KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The cold temperatures Saturday morning didn’t deter runners from lacing up their running shoes at Wilkins Stadium for the eighth annual Eli Grow Legacy 8K Run, Walk or Ruck.

For the eighth iteration of the event, 140 participants lined up on Saturday, Nov. 1, to help raise money for the Eli Grow Legacy Foundation. By the end of the run, the foundation was able to raise $739.75.

Following the invocation and the national anthem, the first round of races started with children in attendance got the chance to participate in the 50-yard Dash (ages up to 4), the 100-yard Dash (kindergarten to first grade) and the half mile run (second to fourth grade).

Then, all of the other participants made their way to the starting line, and on Eli Grow Legacy Foundation founder and event organizer Cassy Grow’s go, the runners took off as they made their out of Wilkins Stadium and onto Jackson Street, through Wilson Avenue, to Old Shelbyville Highway and crossing the finish line at Wilkins Stadium where they were met with applause, awards and post-race food and beverages, which included Chick-fil-A minis, Legacy Creamery Gelato & Sorbet, Gatorade and water. Sean Giffin took first place in the overall men’s category with a net time of 29 minutes and six seconds, while Ashleigh Johnson took first place in the overall women’s category with a net time of 38 minutes and 23 seconds.

This year saw eight teams participate in the race. The teams include: Wehrle, Team 6 7, Tullahoma Middle School Soccer, Montevallo, Team Jaimie’s Hope, THS Girls Basketball, Team Bug and Bel-Aire Dashers.

About the Eli Grow Legacy Foundation

The Eli Grow Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to give Tullahoma athletes the opportunity to train at a next-level facility.

Eli Grow was a dedicated football player at Tullahoma High School and played all four years on the squad, where he signed his letter of intent to continue his career at Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss. On April 30, 2016 Eli was driving home from football conditioning in Franklin. With less than ten minutes on his route home, he fell asleep behind the wheel and lost control of his car, drifting into oncoming traffic. Just weeks prior to his accident, Eli shared his idea of a training facility with his family. Following his untimely passing, Eli’s parents, Cassy and Tony Grow, established a memorial fund in honor of their son. Their plan with his fund is to give something back to the community he loved so dearly and help improve the athletic facilities at Tullahoma High School.

The Eli Grow Legacy Foundation is also focused on providing athletic scholarships to local athletes and awarded four $2,000 scholarships this past academic year. Going forward, they plan to award $8,000 in scholarships each year. The foundation went back and recognized the five football players who were awarded the number 8 jersey in honor of Eli. The jersey is awarded to the hardest working and most dedicated skills player. Each athlete who donned the jersey in prior years was awarded a scholarship, with one giving the money back to the foundation due to his education being paid for.

Legacy Gelato, located behind the Coker building, funds the foundation with their profits, along with hosting the annual 8k and the Eli Grow Legacy Foundation golf tournament. The foundation also accepts donations to help raising the necessary funds to construct an indoor facility. Those interested in donating can mail their donations to the Eli Grow Legacy Foundation Inc., 1406 Wilson Ave., Tullahoma, TN 37388.

For more information contact the Eli Grow Legacy Foundation at info@eligrowfoundation.org or call 931-273-0010. To donate online visit www.eligrowfoundation.org.