On February 26, 1999, in celebration of Black History Month and to honor 19th-century pioneer "Aunt Clara" Brown, ultra-marathon runner Essie Garrett began a 40-mile run from the mountainside steps of St. James Methodist Church in Central City, Colorado at sunrise. The one-day run ended 12 hours later at Smith Renaissance School of the Arts in northeast Denver.

"Aunt Clara" was honored for her humanitarian efforts and contributions to the lives of others. A free slave and the first black pioneer to settle in Denver City, Colorado in 1857, "Aunt Clara" arrived on a wagon train from Kansas to work as a wash woman, cook, and caretaker of the sick. She moved to the boom town of Central City where she accrued property and saved her earnings; money she'd use in many attempts to find and free her daughter who had been traded as a slave in Kentucky. Each time she returned to Colorado she brought with her more free slaves for whom she helped find work.

"Aunt Clara" provided support to people in need, regardless of race or gender. In one of her homes in Central City, St. James Methodist Church held services until they were able to build a church of their own. Today, "Aunt Clara" Brown is considered one of the 100 most influential women in the history of Colorado.

Essie Garrett 's run for Smith Renaissance School of the Arts helped raise funds to save the school's music program. Joining Essie along the way were many friends, students, parents, teachers , the principal and others. Following the run, children from the school performed instrumental music, dramatizations, dance, and songs.

"Aunt" Clara Brown at about age 70. Photo taken between 1875 and 1880.