Friends, family, and community members gathered at Pioneer Park on the Tusculum University campus on Saturday, August 10, for the fourth annual Jogging for Jess 5K, honoring the memory of Jessica Colter.
Colter, a Greeneville High School graduate and East Tennessee State University nursing student, died in a car accident on December 6, 2020. Her loved ones, along with her running group, the Sole Sisters, launched the scholarship fund and annual race in 2021 to continue her mission of caring for others.
This year’s event drew over 330 runners and walkers from across the region to a scenic course through the Tusculum campus, finishing inside Pioneer Stadium. Proceeds benefit the Jessica Colter Memorial Scholarship, which provides financial support to Greene County and ETSU students pursuing careers in nursing and healthcare.
Organizers say the event is about more than just the race. “Every step out there is for Jess,” said one volunteer. “It’s a way to honor her heart for others and help future nurses follow in her footsteps.”
Since its founding, Jogging for Jess has grown into a heartfelt summer tradition—blending fitness, community, and the enduring impact of one young woman’s life.
More information on the scholarship and future race dates is available at jessicacolterscholarship.com.
