WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A 5K race and one-mile run hosted in honor of Carly Rae Baron is set for Saturday, Oct. 26.

According to an announcement from organizers, proceeds from the event will fund academic scholarships for seniors in New Hanover County. The race itself also serves to raise awareness about gun violence and the need to end it in the Cape Fear area.

Baron, an Ashley High alumni, was killed in a 2020 shooting.

Those interested in participating in the Run for Carly Rae 5K Run & 1 Mile Run/Walk can sign up online here. The events will begin and end at Ashley High, 555 Halyburton Memorial Parkway in Wilmington.

“The Run for Carly Rae 5K Run & 1 Mile Run/Walk was established to honor the life of Carly Rae Baron, who tragically lost her life to gun violence in 2020,” the event website states. “Carly Rae was a beautiful person, who enjoyed basketball, modeling and spending time with her family and friends. Carly Rae was a graduate of Eugene Ashley High school and good friends with current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith.

“The Baron Family and the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation wanted to create a scholarship that would help keep Carly Rae’s memory alive for years to come. The scholarship program began in the 2022-2023 school year. We are proud to announce that the Baron Scholarship Program paid $13,000 in scholarships to New Hanover County High School seniors in May of 2023!”

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