Almost 100 locals have gathered to finish the run started by mum-of-three Samantha Murphy before she disappeared.
The 51-year-old disappeared without a trace after she left her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East about 7am on February 4 to go jogging nearby. Woowookrung Regional Park.
Police have charged 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson, an electrician and son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, with Ms Murphy’s murder.
In a touching tribute, Felicity Ryan issued a call on social media on Friday for local people to join her in honoring Mrs Murphy by completing her runs.
Mrs Ryan said she was overwhelmed by the response after expecting only a ‘handful’ of people to turn up for the 7km run at 6pm. 5.30 Monday morning.
Ballarat mother-of-three Samantha Murphy was reportedly killed in her escape in nearby Woowookrung Regional Park
In a touching tribute, almost 100 people gathered to honor Mrs Murphy by completing her 7km run (pictured, some of the community participants)
“I arrived and there was a handful of people and then the cars just started piling in, piling in,” Ryan told 7News.
The group started the morning with a minute’s silence for Mrs Murphy before heading out into the darkness on their run around Ocean Grove.
“I’m getting goosebumps just talking about it now, it was just the most heartfelt morning you could imagine,” Ryan said.
‘There were lots of hugs. People mentioned that while we were running they had tears.’
Ms Ryan said she hoped the race could become an annual event on February 4 to honor Ms Murphy.
Stephenson was arrested on March 6 at a friend’s property in Scotsburn, 12 miles south of Ballarat.
Police will allege Stephenson ‘deliberately attacked’ Ms Murphy in Mount Clear, about 5km from her home, on February 4 after she left her home for a run.
Police charged 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson (pictured, centre, with his mother and father former AFL player Orren Stephenson) with Ms Murphy’s murder
Stephenson appeared in court in a bright orange hi-vis work jacket on March 7 when he was accused of murdering Ms Murphy.
He was remanded in custody and has repeatedly refused to co-operate with police in their search for Ms Murphy’s remains.
Victoria Police Chief Shane Patton said on March 7 that detectives were doing everything they could to find Ms Murphy’s body, which was “absolutely vital” to her family.
It is understood that Stephenson was with his long-term girlfriend and their friends partying in Ballarat the night before Murphy’s disappearance.
Detectives have seized CCTV from a number of venues as part of the investigation.
Victoria Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with Ms Murphy’s disappearance.
A gag order on Stephenson’s identity was lifted by a Victorian judge on Friday. His case will return to court at a later date.
