SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Hundreds of runners put on their running shoes for a cause this weekend.

The Andrew Monroe Memorial Bursary 5K run has returned for its ninth year with nearly 400 people racing on the sands of Siesta Key Beach.

This race is in honor of Andrew Monroe, a high school student from Riverview who was tragically killed in a car crash in 2011.

For years Andrew’s mother, Stacey, has organized these races to remember her son and help young athletes like him.

Andrew was an avid soccer player, so funds for this event go to Riverview soccer players, track athletes and ROTC cadets. The remaining money will go to the scholarships that were created in Andrew’s name.

Time and time again, races have accumulated these funds and preserved Andrew’s memory.

“That’s my whole goal,” said Stacey Monroe. “My goal is for his name to continue after I leave, and it will be. It will go through the community foundation. I created this fund.

Stacey said she’s always thrilled to see these crowds come together for her son every year.

If you would like to learn more about Andrew Monroe and the scholarship created in his name, you can do so by clicking here.

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