KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Saturday morning was alright to go for a run as community members lined up at the starting line at Wilkins Stadium, just behind Tullahoma High School, for the seventh annual Eli Grow Legacy 8K Run, Walk or Ruck.

This year’s 8K Run, Walk and Ruck saw 164 register participants gather on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 2, to help raise money for the Eli Grow Legacy Foundation. By the end of the run, the foundation was able to raise $964.05.

Following the invocation from Gary Johnson and the national anthem by Jennifer Johnson, Shelia Jones, Melissa Hall, Machelle Van Reenen, the 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). Afterwards, all the runners gathered at the starting line and they were off as they ran Jackson Street, through Wilson Avenue, to Old Shelbyville Highway and back again at Wilkins Stadium where they were met with awards and post-race food and beverages. Sean Griffin took first place in the overall men’s category with a net time of 30 minutes and six seconds, while Chelsey Morris took first place in the overall women’s category with a net time of 37 minutes and 36 seconds.

This year saw 11 teams participate in the race. The teams include: Team Bug, the Bel-Aire Elementary Bees, Teal Appraisal Service, Team Jaimie’s Hope, BCC Welding and Fabrication, Happy Birthday Ashleigh, the Wehrle Family, West Lady Bobcats, Henninger/Behrendorff, Emil’s Restaurant and Premier Performance.

Cassy Grow, organizer and founder of the Eli Grow Legacy Foundation, said they were grateful for the turnout this year.

“We’re thankful no matter,” she said. “We’re thankful for everyone here. It’s great community support.” 

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.