Audrey (Hazlehurst) Davis is honored for her running accomplishments in cross country, track, middle distance, and marathons.
“I started running at age six,” Davis said. “My mom was and still is an inspiration. My family traveled to different cities to watch her run marathons when I was growing up, and it was always fun to watch and cheer her on.
“I watched her run the Boston Marathon when I was eight years old, and we went back to run it together after we both qualified in 2015.”
Davis is the daughter of Theodore and Jacqueline Hazlehurst. She has two older siblings, Claire and Hayne. Her first road race was in Chicago in 1999.
“My mom signed me up for my first race, a half-mile youth run at the Chicago Marathon,” Davis said. “Even though I technically wasn’t old enough to enter the race, I ended up tying for first place.”
Crossing the finish line first has been something of a habit for Davis.
She took first place in the women’s division of the Andrew Jackson (26.2 mile) Marathon in 2015, the 2017 and 2018 Jackson Cup Half-Marathon (13.1 miles), the 2018 Rhythm Run Half-Marathon, the 2020 Asphalt Jackal Marathon, and the 2021 Jackal Trail Marathon.
Davis has qualified for the Boston Marathon six times. She not only qualified for Boston at the Memphis St. Jude Marathon in 2021, where she won the women’s race, but she had second thoughts during the event.
“I was in second place until about mile 22 when I passed the leader,” she said. “But I was never sure that I would take first overall. I actually finished the race thinking that I placed second because I finished before they had time to put up the finish-line tape.
“I had hoped for first place but was more concerned with running my time goal of sub three hours and was incredibly happy and relieved when I found out that I got first.”
Davis graduated from the University School of Jackson in 2011 after completing her elementary school education at St. Mary’s. Her family are active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
She was a member of USJ’s 4x800m relay team that won state in 2009, the same year her cross country team was state runner-up. She was named The Jackson Sun’s Runner of the Year four straight years in high school. She was also a three-time all-state runner after finishing runner-up in the state individual standings three years.
As a college freshman in 2011, Union’s last cross-country season as a member of the NAIA, she led the school to a TranSouth Conference title and a trip to the NAIA Nationals. She was named first-team all-conference.
As a senior in 2014, Union’s first year as postseason eligible for the Gulf South Conference/NCAA, she led Union to the conference title, a South Region third-place finish, and a trip to the NCAA National Championships. It was the first GSC Championship for any sport at Union.
She was named first-team All-GSC, All-South Region, and was named to the GSC Honor Roll for the third straight year.
Davis has set many records, and she continues to hold half-marathon records for 15- and 17-year-old females in Tennessee.
“Running in high school and college was not only a blast but it taught me life skills and disciplines that I use to this day,” she said.
Some of the discipline included running before most made their way to work or school.
“Although 5:30 a.m. practices were tough at times, I cherished those early morning workouts with my teammates, and we witnessed some of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen,” she said. “These teams also brought me lasting friendships with runners from all over the country.”
Her talent was not limited to running. She played violin in Union’s first orchestra and was a member of Chi Omega. She graduated from Union’s College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2018.
Her husband, Jared Davis, played baseball at Union and USJ. They have a 16-month-old daughter, Catherine (Kit), and live in South Jackson.
“I was and still am excited and feel very blessed to receive this honor from the hall of fame,” she said. “It is extremely special to be recognized for something that I enjoy so much, and I’m thankful to God for blessing me with this gift.”
Audrey Davis joins Drae Bowles, Greg Goff, Joe Holloway, and Joshua Holmes as the newest members of the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame, when the 38th class is inducted at 6:30 p.m., April 11, at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
Mike and Jan Kelley will be the recipients of the 2024 Billy Schrivner Distinguished Service Award, and Brevin Knight, broadcast analyst with the Memphis Grizzlies, will serve as guest speaker.
For tickets and table information, call Beth Sedberry at 731.616.8558.
(PHOTO: Audrey Davis)
