Every Yard For Yeardley Team To Combat Domestic Violence In Baltimore Running Festival
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--It's been more than three years since Cockeysville native Yeardley Love was murdered by her boyfriend at the University of Virginia.
Now, as athletes prepare for the Baltimore Running Festival, a team called Every Yard for Yeardley will be running in her honor--raising awareness to combat relationship violence.
Jessica Kartalija will be this year's team captain.
"You think about why you are running, and it brings Yeardley to mind through every mile in happy and sad ways," said Lexie Love, sister.
Training for a half marathon has been challenging for Lexie Love. Her sister, Yeardley Love, was beaten and left to die by her ex-boyfriend, George Huguely--both lacrosse players at the University of Virginia.
Saturday, Lexie Love and a team called Every Yard for Yeardley will lace up their sneakers, fundraising for educational programs designed to combat relationship violence.
"She was the most generous, kind person I ever knew, and to see all these people to come from near and far for these races, it just reminds me of what a great person she was," Lexie Love said.
Each year, intimate partner violence kills more than 450 women between 16 and 26 years old.
Lexie Love and her mother Sharon Love founded the One Love Foundation, teaching young women to recognize the warning signs of an abusive relationship.
An app created by One Love asks young women questions about their relationship and provides resources for those in danger.
Every Yard for Yeardley started when a group of friends ran in her honor. It has since grown.
Lexie Love hopes others will be inspired to create their own teams in Yeardley Love's memory.
"Every kind gesture along the way is something that helps us get through everything," Lexie Love said. "It means the world to my mom and I, and we are very grateful."
The race is this Saturday. For more information on how you can help, and to learn more about the One Love Foundation, click here.
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