Thousands of family, friends, and complete strangers strapped on their running shoes to honor Sarah Hart, the Russell County women who was murdered in June while on a jog with her sister.

Stephanie Foley, a friend and running partner of Hart, organized "Run with all your Hart" to celebrate the life of a mother who was lost too soon.

"Our community was totally devastated by Sarah's death and the events surrounding that and it was heart breaking so we decided to do this memorial run to kinda celebrate Sarah's life because she was a happy celebrating person," says Foley.

Members of the community have been shocked by the story, but say they are glad family and friends are turning tragedy into a positive.

"Such a young wonderful life that was actually senselessly lost, but they have turned it into something positive and that is something she would have wanted and we are just very pleased and honored to be here today," says Tina Blanton.

Many avid runners say it was one of the more touching runs they have taken part in.

"It was really an emotional run, I got choked up a couple of time. Yeah with the children each mile one of their pictures was represented each mile and there are their pictures each mile and it was just so emotional," says Chasity Yarberry and Jada Coomer from Adair County.

The emotion of the Hart story has caught the national attention of many. Runners from all 50 state were represented. Stevie Lowrey traveled over an hour and used Hart as an inspiration.

"It was a tough course too, several uphill inclines, but I told myself everytime you get tired Stevie you think of Sarah Hart. You think of her kids," says Lowrey.

While the healing process continues Stephanie Foley says she misses her running partner, but has learned a lesson from such a horrific tragedy.

"I've learned to appreciate my friends and family a little bit more because you know they can be taken from you so suddenly," says Foley.

A portion of the proceeds from Saturday's race were donated to the Sarah Roberts Hart Fund.

Organizers say more than 3,000 people took part in the four mile run and walk. They plan to make this an annual event.