Women in Memphis — and around the world — 'finish Liza's run'

Erin Munz, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read
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Good morning, Memphis!

This is Features and Business Editor Erin Munz, and you're reading the Daily Briefing, our one-stop digital shop for the best Memphis stories from our award-winning Commercial Appeal team.

A week after 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher, known as Liza, was abducted and killed while running near the University of Memphis, hundreds of women gathered early Friday morning to finish her run, Gina Butkovich reports in this story. (You can watch Christine Tannous' video from the event here.)

"I know you need this, I know Memphis needs this. I know we're stronger together. And I know none of us are alone," said Charlie Hayden, one of the event organizers.

And the Memphis women weren't alone in running to honor Fletcher. People around the world laced up their running shoes and hit the pavement to honor her, Amber Roberson reports.

Meanwhile, this weekend is shaping up to be one of the busier ones in the Memphis area and will hopefully bring a sense of normalcy back to the shaken Bluff City. Here's a look at some of what's planned:

  • Festivities throughout the week have been leading up to today's big clash between Jackson State and Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. Damichael Cole looks at how JSU fans are bracing for the end of a tradition if this year in fact marks the end of the team's involvement in the Classic. (There are still lots of Classic activities happening today, and Bob Mehr has the rundown here.)

  • Speaking of football ... Memphis is on the road today at Navy. Evan Barnes has a scouting report and score prediction as the Tigers try t get their fourth consecutive win against the Midshipmen.

  • Germantown Festival is back for the first time since 2019 — and, yes, the weenies will run again, Dima Amro reports.

  • Former St. Jude patient Hayley Arceneaux became the youngest American to orbit Earth. Now, she's captured her life story from childhood cancer to Earth's orbit in her first book: "Wild Ride: A Memoir of I.V. Drips and Rocket Ships." Today, she'll cap off her book launch week with an appearance at Novel. Find out more in Dima's story here.

  • Also of note this weekend, Lucero's Family Block Party is today at Minglewood Hall and Joe Gatto of "Impractical Jokers" fame performs Sunday at the Orpheum, Bob reports.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Women in Memphis — and around the world — 'finish Liza's run'