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Lehighton man awarded plaque in memorial walk

The one-mile walk will always be an event full of mixed emotions at the Carbon County Senior Games.

It is the event where participant Philip Steigerwalt, 63, of Lehighton, who would have won the bronze medal in the men's 60-to-64 bracket, collapsed as he neared the finish line in 2007.Paramedics were unable to resuscitate him and he passed away after having a heart attack.Since that day eight years ago, the games' organizers and participants have remembered Steigerwalt through the walk, which is now known as the Philip Steigerwalt Memorial Walk.To honor the man who loved his family, his community and the Senior Games, the bronze medal winner in the men's 60-to-64 bracket for the walk is named the recipient of the Philip Steigerwalt Memorial Walk plaque.This year Terry Smith of Lehighton was named the recipient of the plaque as he walked his way into the winner's circle.Smith, who is competing alongside his 88-year-old mother, Beattie, was proud to receive the honor on Tuesday.He showed his plaque to his mom as she competed in the walk for the women's 85-and-older bracket.

AMY MILLER/TIMES NEWS Terry Smith of Lehighton was named the recipient of the 2014 Philip Steigerwalt Memorial Walk plaque, which honors the man who collapsed while competing in the one-mile walk in 2007. Smith won the bronze medal in the men's 60-to-64 bracket.