The fifth annual Kevin Conner Memorial Run starts Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Whiteville.
Conner, a Highway Patrol Trooper from Bladenboro who was based in Columbus, was killed in an ambush during a traffic stop on Oct. 17, 2018. He left behind a wife and two children. One of the men charged in the murder is set to go to trial in January.
The Trooper Kevin Conner Foundation was created to honor the trooper’s memory and love for the community. Annual scholarships funded by the memorial run are awarded to Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) students at Southeastern and Bladen Community Colleges, and a third goes to the Blue Line Scholarship program, which funds college for direct family members of law enforcement officers.
More than 900 runners participated last year. Registration for the run ends at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The run will begin at Whiteville City Hall, 422 S. Madison Street.
Runners can register before the race at https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/NC/Whiteville/TrooperKevinConnerMemorialRun
Participants can also register at the pre-race packet pickup or on race morning by using the QR code to register via phone. Additionally, online registration from any mobile device or computer is open until the race begins at 8:30 am.
Streets will be blocked briefly in several parts of Whiteville during the race. Traffic control will be in place directing motorists to detours.
Here are some scenes from last year’s run.
