Remember Sarah Hart

This past Thursday (June 14th), Dr. Sarah Hart of Russell County, KY - a wife and mother of three - went for an early morning run with her sister.  Sarah would never return.

According to news reports, Sarah told her sister that she wasn't feeling well and decided to turn back to where they parked their vehicles.  Instead of making it back to her vehicle Sarah came into contact with a POS (if you don't know what that means try entry number 1 here), who's name is not worth mentioning because I consider him sub-human.  This POS, who had multiple felony charges in more than one State, robbed and then strangled Sarah to death; leaving her body under bushes near the roadway.  The POS was arrested a few hours later and admitted to killing Sarah.  To further add to this heinous act, an autopsy would later reveal that Sarah was 10 - 11 weeks pregnant.  In Kentucky this crime is eligible as a death penalty case and I certainly hope that this POS doesn't rot long in prison before he rots in Hell.

The list of runners who come under vicious attack or even lose their lives to senseless violence while engaged in the activity that they love seemingly continues to grow.  The violence does not recognize geographic limits and knows no socioeconomic boundaries.  Anyone, anywhere can become a victim.  Less than six months ago Sherry Arnold, a teacher in Montana, and now Sarah Hart, a pharmacist in Kentucky.  I can not begin to even guess what the numbers are of those that go unreported or never make the news.

Sarah Hart and family.

The anger that I feel over the murder of Sarah Hart is compounded not only by proximity, but also by the inherent camaraderie that I believe all runners share.  Members of the online community of local runners of which I am a regular visitor, RunTheVille.com, have also expressed their outrage, sympathy, and personal feelings of distress at the loss of Sarah.  So much so that RunTheVille has sent a flower arrangement to the funeral home in remembrance and show of support for the family of a runner that none of the forum members knew personally.

I have been a member of units and teams where each member would go to the wall for any other member of the team; even laying down their lives if necessary.  In the running world, I don't find that much difference.  I believe that it comes from the fact that only runners know what runners endure and that unless someone has been in the same fire as you, they can't truly understand what you are talking about when you talk about the heat.

Sarah will be laid to rest tomorrow, but she will not be forgotten.  Not by her husband, her children, or her family.  She will not be forgotten by her friends.  She will not be forgotten by the community of runners whose lives were touched by her passing.  Nor will I forget.

On the day that I learned of her death, I had already put my mileage in for the day.  However, I ran a second 5K that evening in memory of Sarah and her family; honoring her in the only way that I could think appropriate at the time.  I can say with certainty that in runs to come Sarah and her family will be in my thoughts.  I hope that everyone who reads this blog or hears of Sarah's death will do the same.

Rest in peace, Sarah.  May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.