"I felt that this was a way that would positively honor her," said one runner.
Runners across the U.S. and around the world are lacing up their sneakers and hitting their local routes to pay tribute to Mollie Tibbetts, the Iowa college student found dead this week after going missing last month.
For weeks, the search for Tibbetts captivated the nation. The 20-year-old vanished on July 18 after going for an evening run. Her remains were found on Tuesday, covered with corn husks, in a remote field, where she was left by the man suspected of killing her.
Since the tragic discovery, members of the running community have united to dedicate their mileage to Tibbetts, using the hashtag #MilesforMollie to honor the late runner and keep going for a woman who can't anymore.
"Mollie never got the chance to finish her run," Sarah Corley of Illinois told InsideEdition.com. "While on my morning run [this week], I felt inspired to do an extra mile for her.
"I didn’t know Mollie personally, but we both shared a common love of running. I felt that this was a way that would positively honor her," she added.
Travis Langemeier of Nebraska, who ran seven miles for Tibbetts, said, "I don't know how far Mollie had planned to run but hopefully by all of us combining our miles ... we can help finish the run she never had the opportunity to finish."
In Guyana, Sophia Jordan ran seven miles for Tibbetts as well.
"I ran for Mollie because she could have been me, my sister, or friend. I ran to show support for a woman who just wanted to be healthy and clear her head but instead her life was cut short," Jordan said. "Mollie could have been any of us. I never run alone because of fear but it should never have to be that way."
Carmela Catizone of New Jersey echoed that sentiment.
"Women need to feel safe when running," Catizone, who is training for the Chicago Marathon, said. "Mollie needs to be remembered and we're running our a**es off for her because she was taken without regard for her one and only life. We are running because it's all we can do."
In Wisconsin, Chelsea Meinking jogged alongside cornfields as she ran three miles for Tibbetts, showing there's no need for fear.
"This is freedom," she said. "You don't need to be scared."
Over in Ohio, Ted Goodwin took to the road to highlight the sense of kinship that exists among runners.
"When something happens to one of us, it happens to all of us," said Goodwin, who ran just over two miles for Tibbetts.
"She will not be forgotten."
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