Community runs 5K to honor Emanuel 9 victim

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) -More than six years after the deadly shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston that claimed nine lives, those close to one of the victims are still serving the community to help keep his legacy alive.

Around 200 runners took part in the annual “Doughnut Dash” 5K run in memory of TyWanza Sanders, the youngest victim of the 2015 shooting. Along their route, runners stopped for doughnuts at the Krispy Kreme store where Sanders once worked.

The run returned this year after being moved to a virtual run last year due to the pandemic, and organizers said it was the biggest turnout yet.

The run, which is put on by the non-profit group Race 4 Achievement, serves as a fundraiser to establish scholarships with the goal of helping the next generation of kids from under-privileged communities.

The group has already set up those scholarships at James Island, West Ashley and Burke high schools as well as The Citadel.

“I think it’s a great honor to TyWanza and his family to see so many people come out and support the event and also at the same time give back to young minds and young scholars in the area,” Ryon Smalls, a co-founder of Race 4 Achievement, said. “It’s humbling, it’s greatly appreciated, and we look forward to seeing more and more people in the future.”

Organizers are still figuring out exactly how much money they raised this year, but since this event began, they’ve collected more than $25,000, with more than half of that going to fund scholarships and the rest covering race expenses.

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