Jeremy Sailem was supposed to have graduated this spring from Spartanburg High School. Instead, a scholarship bearing his name will be presented to one of his classmates. 

Helping to raise money toward that scholarship will be the second annual Miles of Smiles 5K race set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 at Fernwood Baptist Church.

The Spartanburg High School athlete's tragic death at a Labor Day weekend church picnic in 2009 stunned a community, including the large group of teens who considered him a friend.

To help cope with the loss, youth at his church, Fernwood Baptist, decided to raise money for a scholarship. Like Jeremy, several in the youth group are on the Spartanburg track team, so a 5K race seemed a natural choice. The race was named "Miles of Smiles" after one youth noticed that the letters of the last name of the always smiling Jeremy can be arranged to spell "A Smile."

A demanding 5K route has been laid out by a Fernwood member who is a runner.  Its design focuses on safety - no major roads are included - and its route takes runners by important markers in Jeremy's life: his church and school.

February was chosen for the race because it is Jeremy's birth month.  The race will go on regardless of weather.

Last year, Jeremy's parents, Tony and Alicia Sailem, and his sister, Brianna, were among about 200 running in the 5K.  Brianna, now a 9th grader at McCracken Junior High, appealed to everyone to run, reminding them that this is a race that's not about winning. 

"The race is a way to celebrate Jeremy's life and make a difference in the life of the greater Spartanburg community," said Stuart Jones, Jeremy's youth minister.

Race application and route map are available below.  Registration forms also are at area schools and athletic clubs, including the YMCA. 

Registering early for the Feb. 19 race provides a $5 discount. Registering before Feb. 7 means students can enter for only $15 and adults $20.  After that and on race day, cost is $20 for students and $25 for adults.  Registration fee includes a T-shirt, the chance for one of three prizes in each of five age groups, use of hydration stations and post race snacks.

Race day registration starts at 9 a.m. and ends 15 minutes before the 10 a.m. race.  Starting line is behind Fernwood Baptist Church, on Greengate Lane

The race is a little unusual in that non-participants can purchase the official shirt for $12, or $15 for larger sizes.  Because of the popularity of the shirts, scholarship supporters are encouraged to pre-register, using the same registration form as for runners. 

The application form also provides a way to donate to the scholarship fund. Checks may be made payable to Fernwood Baptist Church, with Jeremy Sailem's name in the memo line, and sent to Fernwood Baptist Church, 200 Fernwood Drive, Spartanburg, 29307. (Near Bi-Lo grocery off East Main.)

Race sponsors include Brown Packing, Wolverine Coatings, Coca-Cola of Spartanburg, Panera Bread, and Academy Sports & Outdoors.

For more information please contact: Stuart Jones, Youth Minister, 864-582-7467, stuart@fernwoodchurch.org or Kathy Dalton, Church Member, 864-577-0108, kpdalton@hotmail.com