You can sense the anticipation beneath the nice weather if you’re in Bloomington in the fall. When November rolls around, It’s time for The Jill Behrman 5K, the 5K hosted right here on IU campus. Some run for the fun of the exploding colors of chalk along the race route. Others are family members or friends who recall the namesake of the race, and 25 years after her death, some who run never really knew the story of Jill and the life she lived. But, whether they knew her or not they are running for Jill, refusing to let her disappearance take the memory of the vibrant, loving girl she was.
Jill’s life, enthusiasm and generosity came from being Bloomington born and raised. She was one of the people that always looked for the next challenge in her life. Those who knew her best say she was more than just a player on the volleyball court; she was driven. Physical activity was her way of expressing herself.
When Jill got to IU and started her Physical Education degree, she found a perfect match in her work-life. She accepted a position at the Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC), and it became her second home. She had a knack for connecting with people, helping the community, and celebrating the simple, profound joy of exercising in a place that truly reflected who she was.
On May 31, 2000 Jill made the decision to ride her bike, something she had done many times before IU campus. The greatest tragedy in her family’s life was that everyday decision. The initial worry became into a difficult search when she failed to return. For three years, her loved ones lived in a state of uncertainty. They hung posters, answered phones, and awaited the lead that would bring her home. They hung yellow ribbons in support of Jill and her family.
They found out in March of 2003 she had been abducted and killed by a stranger, John Meyers II
When her remains were finally located in in a wooded area off of Warthan Road near Paragon, Indiana, in Morgan County. The missing persons case was closed but the pain was an open wound that settled in. The family was left not with relief, but with the painful reality of a life stolen, after the long path toward finding justice for her murder.
Out of that huge loss, something important was created: the Jill Behrman 5K. This race to honor Jill. Amd it was held just where Jill’s life bloomed on the IU campus. She would not be a tragic headline. She would have a legacy,The Jill Behrman 5K became a color run in 2012 to shift the focus from a traditional, competitive memorial to a joyful, non-competitive celebration of Jill’s life. Now known as the “Color the Campus 5K,” the event uses colorful powder to create a vibrant experience that promotes unity, resilience, and fun. This took many years to perfect the color that gets thrown at you or extinguished through color bombs but symbolizes something much greater, how she lived her life so brightly.
Every dollar given supports the Jill Behrman Emerging leader scholarship, offering scholarships so other young students can pursue what Jill was chasing. It’s her love for health and education moving to a new generation.
Her mother as the Undergraduate Administrative Services Coordinator for The Media School, Marilyn Behrman is a vital part of the Indiana University community. She serves as an important point of contact for faculty, staff, families, and students in this capacity. Marilyn’s daily work on campus guarantees that she stays firmly connected to the student population and the academic environment that her daughter Jill adored, furthering her commitment to the IU community. Marilyn has devoted many years to the institution, including nearly two decades at the IU Foundation.
Natural sound of the run
Decades have passed since the tragedy, allowing the pain to diminish, but our love for Jill has only intensified. The annual 5K run on the IU campus stands as the community’s consistent, powerful act of keeping her presence alive.
Though the final ruling and sentencing of John Myers II delivered a measure of justice, the hole in her family’s heart remains. She was important, and we won’t stop until her memory is one of positivity rather than pain. No matter the weather the students of IU and the families who live here, come out to support Jill and he loved ones so not just get a good run in, but to support a girl who lived so bright and colorfully.
