KENNEBUNK — Nicole Oliver loved to run, and she loved to walk the beach. After her untimely death in 2007, friends came together to establish Nicole’s Run  to benefit Caring Unlimited, a resource center that aids people dealing with domestic violence.

July 27 will mark the 12th year of Nicole’s Run and Ellie’s Walk, the latter named for Ellie Troost Jennes, who was raised in Kennebunkport. The 36-year-old U.S. Army veteran was killed by her husband in Colorado in 1995. He was sentenced to 48 years in prison for her murder.

Nicole’s Run and Ellie’s Walk was first organized by friends and family of Oliver, a 24-year old mother of two from Wells, who was killed by her estranged husband in 2007.  Recently, race founders and co-directors, Amanda Morris and Jenn McIsaac, were honored by Caring Unlimited for their years of commitment and service to supporting the critical services offered by the organization, according to Caring Unlimited spokeswoman Emily Gormley.

Statistics from 2017 Crime in Maine, the latest available, show that of 22 homicides in Maine that year, eight were committed by family members of the victim. In 2016, there were 19 homicides; seven were committed by family members, according to the state’s statistics.

Gormley said Caring Unlimited serves approximately 3,000 people annually whose lives are affected by domestic abuse through a 24-hour confidential hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, support and education groups, legal advocacy, school-based education and advocacy and community education.

The 5K (3.1 mile) Nicole’s Run and Ellie’s Walk steps off from Lord’s Point, near Mother’s Beach in Kennebunk  at 9 a.m., July 27 with registration opening at 6:45 a.m, A 1K Kids’ Fun Run will take off at 8:30 a.m.

Online registration is available at www.nicolesrun.org, and www.caring-unlimited.org.
Registration for the 5K is $25; the Kids’ run is $15.

Money raised by Nicole’s Run goes to support Caring Unlimited’s programs and  is presented in part by 2019 event sponsors Kennebunk Savings and York Hospital.

For more information and to register online for the 12th Annual Nicole’s Run, visit: www.nicolesrun.org or www.caring-unlimited.org.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.