SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. — It was a heartfelt journey that began in the fall of 2013. With the sound of the starting gun, after nearly 10 years, this time signaling of an end of what has become a Scott County tradition. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Ellison family started the Finley 5k in 2013 after their son died from SIDS

  • The Finley Foundation is a non-profit that exists to raise awareness and research money for SIDS

  • The raise has been a lifeline and source of hope for many affected by SIDS in the community

“The Finley 5K is a race that we started in 2013 after our son died from SIDS, which is sudden infant death syndrome,” Dwayne Ellison explained. “This is our 10th race. We have drawn thousands each year to Georgetown to run this 5K and teach people about SIDS and raise money for that research and to raise awareness about safe sleep practices.”

But as these runners left the starting line for the last time, it’s not about where this race has taken them, but more about the good that has come from it.

“Dwayne and I had agreed that it would be over and then there were times and we made the announcement that it was and then there were so many times that we said, or I said, no, no, let’s just keep going, let’s just keep going,” Crissy Ellison said. “There were times where we maybe messed up or there were things that we didn’t do correctly and we felt like we needed to be better and have a more quality race. We needed to have more passion involved with it.”

For the Ellison’s, this race was a message to everyone to “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The Finley Foundation for SIDS is a non-profit registered 501(3)c that exists to raise awareness and research money to one day end the tragedy of SIDS for the next generation of parents.

“Oh, it’s been tremendous. It was a lifeline thrown to us at the time where it gave us hope, gave us something to shoot for. It gave us a sense of belonging with other people that came out and supported us, other SIDS victims in our community,” Dwayne said.

For those running this race, knowing that this will be the last time is bittersweet.

“It is a little bit bittersweet,” said Amanda Cantrell. “Dwayne was my principal at Scott County Ninth Grade School so we have definitely been all in with heart since the beginning.”

“Sometimes things just come to an end and it’s just time for things to end, but it doesn’t mean that the memories will go away or all the contributions that were made won’t be effective,” said Carlos Cracraft.

The Finley 5K has helped the Ellison’s heal from their loss and to share their platform, allowing others to heal. The race has brought together a community of wonderful people each year and allowed this journey to become much more than anyone could have imagined over the past 10 years.

“I just want people to know that although this is the end of this journey, we will always remember those babies that we lost. We will always remember Finley and SIDS and we will continue to work hard to make positive change in those areas,” said Crissy. 

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