June 11, 1983 Jim Thorpe teacher and cross country coach Bob Thomas finishes first overall in the Walnutport Towpath Trot. Thomas completes the 10-kilometer course in 32:42 to finish ahead of runner-up Matt Fritz of Schnecksville. In the women's competition, Palmerton's Georgianna Messinger claims top honors by posting a time of 39:56. A total of 171 runners take part in the second annual event. Among them is Walnutport's Kristen Kern, who receives a trophy for being the youngest participant at five years and five months old.