Supporters will run 2.23 miles Friday for Ahmaud Arbery’s Birthday

Supporters will gather virtually Friday to mourn Ahmaud Arbery, putting on their sneakers and posting on social media to say “I Run With Maud”. 

Why they are mourning Ahmaud Arbery 

Arbery, 25, was jogging in a neighborhood outside Brunswick, Georgia, on February 23 when he was chased down by a former police officer Gregory McMichael and his son Travis McMichael who were armed, authorities said.

Arbery was shot after struggling with the son over his shotgun, according to a Glynn County Police report.

The former officer later told officers that he thought Arbery looked like a suspect in a series of nearby break-ins, the report said.

What is I Run With Maud 

Arbery’s high school football coach Jason Vaughn is asking supporters to honor Arbery by going for a run of 2.23 miles, representing the date of his death on Friday, which would have been his birthday.

He asks that runners document their run and post it to social media under the hashtag #IRunWithMaud.

“With Covid-19 of course, we can’t have a demonstration where we all come together,” Vaughn told CNN adding that this demonstration is the best way to unite in his honor.

“Any runner can identify with Maud, a guy who may have had a bad day, but he can go out there and hit the pavement and go jog.”