Run benefits SIDS research

April 10, 2011 at 5:57 a.m. | Updated April 10, 2011 at 5:57 a.m.

Robby Brown, right, and Rob Dusek congratulate Brian and Carrie Murray, and their 20-month-old son, Nolan, of Kansas City, as they near the finish Saturday during the second-annual Ava Brown Memorial 5K in Jefferson City. Robby Brown is Ava's father and Carrie Murrary is his wife, Sarah's, cousin. Ava Brown died of SIDS at 2 months old.
Robby Brown, right, and Rob Dusek congratulate Brian and Carrie Murray, and their 20-month-old son, Nolan, of Kansas City, as they near the finish Saturday during the second-annual Ava Brown Memorial 5K in Jefferson City. Robby Brown is Ava's father and Carrie Murrary is his wife, Sarah's, cousin. Ava Brown died of SIDS at 2 months old.

Awareness, education, raising funds for vital research and honoring the short life of Ava Brown is what brought more than 300 people to Memorial Park early Saturday morning.

Ava Elizabeth Brown was the second child of Robby and Sarah Brown, Jefferson City. She was born Feb. 16, 2009, and was a happy and healthy girl. On April 15, 2009, the 8-week-old was spending only her third day at the baby sitter's when she died from SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Since her death, the Brown family has worked passionately to spread the word about SIDS.

Last year, the Ava Brown Memorial 5K raised nearly $10,000, which was donated to First Candle, previously known as the SIDS Alliance, for research, education and prevention.

Sarah Brown, Ava's mom, said they had about the same number of participants as last year, though a shorter, more family friendly, less intense event, Ava's Amble was added.

Ava's Amble allowed participants to walk, untimed, throughout Memorial Park and avoid the 3.1 miles of a 5K that may be too much for some.

  1. Florida (21-2) beat Tennessee 94-78. Next: at Georgia, Wednesday.
  2. Wisconsin (22-2) beat Northwestern 69-52. Next: at Penn State, Wednesday.
  3. North Carolina (20-3) lost to N.C. State 83-79. Next: at No. 8 Duke, Wednesday.
  4. Ohio State (20-3) beat Michigan State 63-54. Next: vs. Michigan, Tuesday.
  5. UCLA (20-2) beat Oregon State 82-35. Next: vs. Southern California, Wednesday.
  6. Kansas (19-3) vs. No. 10 Texas A&M. Next: vs. Kansas State, Wednesday.
  7. Pittsburgh (20-3) did not play. Next: at West Virginia, Wednesday.
  8. Duke (18-4) did not play. Next: vs. Florida State, Sunday.
  9. Oregon (19-4) lost to Southern California 71-68. Next: vs. Arizona State, Thursday.
  10. Texas A&M (18-3) at No. 6 Kansas. Next: vs. No. 22 Texas, Monday.
  11. Memphis (19-3) beat SMU 88-52. Next: at UAB, Thursday.
  12. Oklahoma State (18-4) lost to Colorado 89-77. Next: at Oklahoma, Wednesday.
  13. Butler (22-2) beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee 66-47. Next: at Cleveland State, Thursday.
  14. Marquette (20-4) beat Providence 69-62. Next: vs. Rutgers, Wednesday.
  15. Nevada (20-2) vs. Hawaii. Next: at Fresno State, Thursday.
  16. Virginia Tech (16-7) lost to Boston College 80-59. Next: vs. Virginia, Saturday.
  17. Air Force (20-3) beat Wyoming 88-43. Next: at San Diego State, Tuesday.
  18. Washington State (18-4) at Arizona State. Next: vs. No. 23 Stanford, Thursday.
  19. Alabama (17-5) beat South Carolina 64-61. Next: vs. Mississippi State, Wednesday.
  20. Arizona (15-7) beat Washington 84-54. Next: at Arizona State, Thursday.
  21. Notre Dame (18-4) at South Florida. Next: at DePaul, Thursday.
  22. Texas (16-6) lost to Kansas State 73-72. Next: at No. 10 Texas A&M, Saturday.
  23. Stanford (14-6) at California. Next: at No. 18 Washington State, Thursday.
  24. Vanderbilt (15-7) vs. Georgia. Next: at Tennessee, Saturday.
  25. Clemson (18-5) lost to Georgia Tech 80-62. Next: vs. Florida State, Wednesday.

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