Everything changed after Liza’s death, but Memphis keeps running
Hundreds gather for the 2nd Annual Finish Liza’s Run on Sept. 1, 2023. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Bianca Phillips
Bianca Phillips is a Northeast Arkansas native and longtime Memphian who’s worked in local journalism and PR for more than 20 years. In her days as a reporter, she covered everything from local government and crime to LGBTQ issues and the arts. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South,” a cookbook of vegan Southern recipes.
After Eliza Fletcher’s kidnapping and killing last year, local runners' sense of security was forever changed. One woman said she had always thought she would outrun anyone who meant her harm, but she knows now that’s not true.
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Eliza Fletcher Finish Liza's RunRelated stories
Hutchison retires Eliza Fletcher’s number — and unveils an annual award in her name
Hutchison School announces it will retire Eliza Fletcher’s number across all sports — and presents Meriel Rowland, a star-in four sports, with the first Eliza Wellford Fletcher No. 5 Award.
Calkins: Once again — this time on 901 Day — Memphians will Finish Liza’s Run
“In a perfect world, we would have a Memphis where we didn’t have to run scared. But I don’t think that day is here yet. And I don’t think we will get there if we quit.”
Calkins: A year later, Richie Fletcher talks about Liza: ‘She would be the first to forgive.’
Richie Fletcher on his wife, Liza: “We would have late-night talks about Memphis. We could have been far away, without any worries in the world. I was always like, ‘We need to get out of here.’ But she didn’t want to leave.”
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