Courtesy Swim4Elise
Across Texas, the numbers tell a sobering story: in 2025 alone, 88 children lost their lives to fatal drowning. It is a statistic that Lori Cerami knows with a depth most cannot imagine. Ten years ago, Lori lost her daughter, Elise, to a drowning accident—a tragedy that sparked a decade-long crusade to ensure no other local family faces the same grief.
On Saturday, May 9, the North Texas community will gather once again for the 10th Annual Run4Elise. This milestone event has grown from a local memorial into a regional powerhouse, benefiting the Swim4Elise Foundation and the Elise Cerami Memorial Scholarship. By funding swimming scholarships and community outreach, the foundation is working to turn the tide on Texas’ drowning statistics.
The foundation has set an ambitious goal for this anniversary year: registering 80 teams of 10 or more participants to bring over 800 runners and walkers to the pavement. The impact extends far beyond race day, as proceeds fund free water safety curriculum for more than 6,500 daycare children.
"We truly believe that we can create a ‘positive wave of change’ in water safety starting right here in North Texas," the foundation shared.
With the event quickly approaching, organizers are calling on families and businesses to mobilize. Participants can choose between a Certified 5K, a 1-Mile Fun Run, or a Virtual/Sleep-In option for those supporting from afar. All registrations include an official race bib, a finisher’s medal, and a T-shirt.
Important Dates to Note:
March 31: The current $30 registration rate is available through April 30.
April 15: The final deadline to guarantee an official race T-shirt.
May 1–8: Late registration increases to $35.
May 9 (Race Day): Final registration is $40.
Supporters are encouraged to follow Run4Elise on Facebook for real-time race updates and to register now at Swim4Elise.com.