For over 20 years, the Jill Behrman Color the Campus 5K has welcomed members of the community to have a few hours of colorful fun at the Student Recreational Sports Center. 

The race itself is full of life and energy. Participants get to join dance parties before and after the race as a way to warm up and burn off energy. 

The namesake of the race, Jill Behrman, was an avid lover of sports and had worked for student recreational sports while she attended Indiana University. She had played a variety of sports during her life, including basketball, softball, and volleyball. But she was especially fond of riding her bike.

It was on a solo bike ride in May 2000 when 19-year-old Jill disappeared. She never showed up for her shift at the recreational sports center. 

Three years passed before hunters found her bones in a wooded area in Morgan County. An Ellettsville man, John Myers, was ultimately convicted for murdering Jill. 

This June, Myers argued for a new trial regarding the case. At the time of his conviction, he was sentenced to 65 years in prison. 

Even though over two decades have passed since her disappearance, the energy brought to the event that celebrates her life is still felt. 

Marilyn Behrman, Jill’s mother, described this year’s race as amazing and remarked that she couldn’t have asked for better weather. 

It warms Marilyn’s heart to see her friends from around Indiana come to attend the race in her daughter’s memory. She doesn’t always know who will be there, but when she sees people she knows, she appreciates it.

Marilyn expressed her joy at seeing students have fun at the event. Besides joy, she also hopes that students take away the importance of personal safety.

“If that could happen to Jill, that could happen to me,” Marilyn said. This is a message that she, and friends of Jill, have repeated to themselves since Jill’s murder.

One thing that her mother emphasized was that despite the circumstances of her disappearance, Jill was no different than any other student.

“I think what I want most is for everyone, not just students, but everyone to realize is that bad things can happen to normal people,” Marilyn said. “People that you don’t ever suspect would be in a bad spot or would be murdered.”

Events like what happened to Jill are often unpredictable. However, it is important to be aware of situations that can turn dangerous. 

Because of this, some proceeds from the event go to funding personal safety workshops for students. 

The JB5K also helps fund scholarships for students who, like Jill, are interested in campus recreational sports. The Jill Behrman Emerging Leader Scholarship is made up of two $1,000 scholarships that are awarded to students.

Jill’s brother, Brian, smiles next to his sister the day she came home for the first time in 1980.

The Behrmans pose for a family photo in 1981.

Jill and her cousin, Becky, stand in front of the IU Camp Brosius Sign in 1988. Becky was Jill’s roommate while they attended IU together.

Jill smiles in her BHSS volleyball uniform in 1998.

The Behrman family poses together for a picture during the fall of 1999.

Jill’s picture is shown at a celebration of life memorial, held at First United Methodist Church in Bloomington in 2003.

Since the first race honoring Jill took place the fall of her disappearance, the JB5K has brought fun to campus in a way that is also meaningful for those who learn from her story.

Marilyn recognizes the hard work that goes into putting on the event every year.

“So many people contribute to making this event a success,” Marilyn said. “And I just appreciate that so much.”