From Grief to Grace

Lavardo Denashe “Eljay” Fisher II smiling in his white number 21 football jersey, holding a football — Lavardo Denashe “Eljay” Fisher II, number 21

In honor of Eljay

Thank you for your interest in the Inaugural From Grief to Grace — Lavardo Denashe “Eljay” Fisher II Memorial 5K.

This memorial race was created in honor of Lavardo Denashe “Eljay” Fisher II, whose life was tragically lost at the age of 13 in an accidental shooting in Central Florida.

Though his passing deeply impacted his family, friends, and community, his legacy continues to inspire a greater mission rooted in healing, remembrance, education, unity, and hope.

This is our motto

Live.Love.Laugh.Lead.Look ahead.

Why we run

From Grief to Grace Memorial 5K brings the community together in love, remembrance, and support while raising awareness in three meaningful areas.

Safe firearm storage

Responsible firearm ownership and safe firearm storage, so no other family faces a loss like this one.

Donate Life

Organ, eye, and tissue donation, shared through Donate Life education.

Grief-process education

Education, conversation, and resources about grief and the grieving process after the loss of a loved one.

Through wellness, remembrance, and community connection, this Memorial 5K creates an uplifting space where families, friends, and community partners can learn, connect, and stand together in promoting healing, prevention, and safer, better-informed, and more connected communities.

Race day

A day of hope and inspiration. Every early entry includes a custom race shirt.

Date: Saturday, Oct 24, 2026
Start time: 8:00 AM
Location: 501 Crown Point Cross Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Entry fees

$30

Early entry, shirt included

Until midnight, Sunday, October 11
Current price
$35

Late entry

Until 6:00 PM, Friday, October 23
Current price
$40

Race day entry

Saturday, October 24
Current price

Late and race day entries are not guaranteed a shirt, but we will strive to accommodate everyone.

Register now

Awards

First Place Overall, Male and Female

First place is also awarded in every age group. Awards are presented at approximately 9:00 AM on race day.

9 & under
10–19
20–29
30–39
40–49
50–59
60–69
70 & over

A first-year race is built by the businesses and neighbors who step up early. Your sponsorship helps a healing family turn loss into prevention, generosity, and support for others.

Sponsors stand beside every runner, walker, and family at the start line, and help provide firearm-safety education, organ and tissue donation information, and grief-process educational resources.

View sponsorship opportunities Register to run

Stand for preventionPut your name behind responsible firearm ownership and safe firearm storage.
Champion Donate LifeHelp spread organ, eye, and tissue donation education to local families.
Promote grief-process educationSupport education, conversation, and resources about grief and the grieving process.

FromGriefToGraceLavardo5K.comVisit and share the official event website

Together, we can turn grief into grace and hope into action. Visit the website or share the link with a friend, a teammate, or a business that should be part of this day.