Kelly Mann's daughters from left, Lauren, Katie and Ashley Mann, during the final 5K Run and 3K Walk that was held in their mother's memory on Oct. 1 at Nashua High School South. Courtesy photo by Teal Murphy

NASHUA – As they had done for nearly two decades, runners and walkers stepped up to the starting line for the Kelly Mann Memorial 5K Run and 3K Walk — except this year it was for the last time.

Hosted by Bridges: Domestic and Sexual Violence Support, the 18-year event was held to remember Kelly Mann, who was shot and bludgeoned by her husband Stephen at their Essex Street home in July 2004. Mann, who was 32 at the time, had three daughters, Ashley, 12, Lauren, 8, and Katie, 1. To make matters worse, the three girls were home when their mother was murdered and could hear the commotion from another room.

In 2006, Ashley and Lauren worked with Bridges to organize a fundraiser in their mother’s memory to help others who have been traumatized by domestic violence.

“They wanted to do something to remember their mom,” said Bridges Business Manager Jane Bizeur, adding that Ashley and Lauren were also runners.

With the loss of her mother still fresh in her mind, Ashley still took on the responsibility of organizing the first race.

“We were looking for a way to cope, this was a healthy outlet,” she said.

Bizeur said the race was originally held at Sunset Heights Elementary School. However, as the number of participants grew, it was moved to Nashua High School South eight years ago.

Looking ahead, Bizeur said the race will be converted to the Kelly Mann Memorial Fund, which will award an annual $2,500 scholarship to a Bridges client.

“Races have gotten saturated as far as fundraisers,” she said during the Oct. 1 event. “There’s so many of them, it’s hard for people to choose.”

Elizabeth Krahenbuhl was close friends with Mann and was one of the last people to see her alive. She said establishing a scholarship fund makes sense at this point as Mann was an avid supporter of education.

“Her oldest daughter is now a pharmacist,” said Krahenbuhl.

Since its inception, the race has raised more than $300,000 for Bridges to provide enhanced services to survivors of domestic violence.

“Thousands of people have been helped,” said Krahenbuhl.

Although she never knew her mother, Katie has always understood the importance of the race.

“It’s a very special event for a very special person,” she said.

As for the race itself, John Surette, 29, of Hudson, finished in first place with a time of 19:25.

Surette said he has participated in the race for the past 10 years.

“It’s cool to see the race grow,” he said, adding that the last quarter-mile has always been the most challenging part of the course.

According to Millennium Running, Surette also won the race in 2021 and 2019.

Johan Prevost, 32, led the way for the Nashua runners with a time of 20:01 and finished in second place overall.

Ella Taylor, 15, of Merrimack, finished with a time of 24:03 to earn first place in the female division and eighth place overall.

Brendan Laflamme, 47, of Hollis, was pleased with the 99 runners and walkers who took part in the last race.

“It’s great to see so many people come out,” he said, adding that he enjoyed the section of the course that went through Mine Falls Park. “The weather made it even better.”

Laflamme finished in sixth place with a time of 23:30.

Nineteen years have passed since that tragic summer in 2004 and the three young girls are adults now. Ashley is 31 and lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Kyle. She is a pharmacist at the Heart Hospital of Austin. Lauren is 27 and also lives in Austin. She currently works at the Roaring Fork restaurant. Katie is 20 and is a junior in the Nursing Program at the University of New Hampshire.

Their father was convicted of first degree murder in November 2005 and will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to the Nashua Police Department, officers responded to 1,878 reports of domestic violence last year resulting in 517 arrests.

In addition to Bridges, other support centers for victims of domestic violence include Emily’s Place in Manchester, the Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention in Keene, New Beginnings in Laconia and the Support Center at Burch House in Littleton.