Nashville community plans to gather to finish marathon in honor of Joey Fecci
Fecci collapsed and later died while running in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on April 27.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Saturday marks two weeks since the tragic passing of 26-year-old Joey Fecci during the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series marathon on April 27.
Now friends and fellow runners are preparing to finish Fecci’s run Saturday to pay tribute to his memory.
Fecci collapsed during the race and later passed away at a nearby hospital.
“He was committed to everything he did,” said Aaron Frank, a close friend of Fecci. “Joey wasn’t just the type of person that starts something just to finish it. Joey starts something and gives it everything he has the entire time, all the way through the finish.”
Since Fecci’s collapse at mile 22.5 of the marathon in Shelby Park, plans have been underway to cross the finish line for him.
“There’s unfinished business here in Nashville. We’re coming together as a community to finish his race,” said Lauren Osborne, who is helping coordinate the gathering.
At 7:10 a.m. Saturday, Fecci’s friends and Nashville runners will gather near a statue at Shelby Park. Then at 7:20 a.m. they will embark on a symbolic run from mile 22.5 to Nissan Stadium, mirroring the start time of the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon two weeks prior.
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Even though Fecci’s family lives hundreds of miles away in New York, they will be participating in the event as well.
“His mom has been messaging me. She will be running at 8:15 Eastern time in New York during our moment of silence, and then through the run as well,” Osborne said.
The loss of Fecci has left a void in the lives of those who knew him.
He had plans to spend most of the month of May in Italy with Frank to get inspiration for the next step in his career as a chef.
“He was planning on opening a restaurant here in Nashville,” Frank said. “We’re just trying to raise some funds so that we can help the next Joey be able to get there.”
In memory of Fecci, the Chef Joey Fecci Culinary Scholarship Memorial Fund has been established, raising over $100,000 to date. The fund aims to support aspiring chefs in pursuing their dreams, keeping Fecci’s passion for culinary arts alive.
Click to contribute to Joey’s scholarship fund – Support Joey Fecci’s Culinary Legacy.
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