Running Community Honors Man Murdered On White Rock Creek Trail

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dozens of runners crowded onto a stretch of White Rock Creek Trail on Monday night to take back the trail and honor a man who was murdered while running.

Police said David Stevens was murdered last week while running after a man attacked him with a machete.

Runners in Dallas felt compelled to do something to honor one of their fellow runners despite never meeting Stevens.

"He mattered. Even if we didn't know him when he was here, he mattered and we're going to run for him," said Lynnlie Tuschoss, a local runner who helped organize the run.

Runners hit the trail wearing special bibs with the date Stevens died as their number, "101215."

Many who participated said his death has been in the back of their minds. Some runners feel it could have been them on that part of the trail the day Stevens was attacked.

"The fact that it was random and he was a good runner too. He wasn't going slow. It hits home and you think about it all the time," said Jessica Struder.

Runners like Steve Harris, who has not jogged since Stevens was murdered, wanted to make it a point to lace up his shoes Monday night.

"We're not afraid and we're not going to let an incident like this stop us from doing what we love doing," said Harris.

Runners wrapped up the run by holding a candlelight vigil to honor Stevens.

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