Lisa Napoletano, of Penn Forest Township, was 14 years old and a promising student and track athlete in the Jim Thorpe Area School District. An automobile accident on April 5, 2020, ended her life.

“This year is her birthday weekend,” her mother, Melissa Napoletano said. “She would have been 21 years old.”

Melissa and a dedicated group of volunteers hosted the 6th Annual Lisa Napoletano “Running with the Angels Run/Walk” on a rainy Saturday morning.

“We always hold this event on the weekend of her birthday,” Melissa stated. Lisa’s birthday is May 12.

Fifty-five people were entered in the 5K, which took place on the D&L Trail in Jim Thorpe. Runners and walkers started at the southern end of the county parking lot and crossed the walking bridge and proceeded down the trail and back again. There were men, women, children, a few dogs, and a few baby strollers taking part.

“We award scholarships to area track students,” Melissa explained about the money raised. “We give two $500 scholarships at the Jim Thorpe High School, and $1,000 in scholarships to Marian High School.”

The run along the D&L Trail is enticing to some of the runners, like Danielle Ems of Drums.

“It’s a nice, local race; quick out and back,” Ems said. “It’s pretty flat, that makes it nice.”

Adriana Picca-Miller of Effort, a coworker of Melissa Napoletano’s, is an avid runner.

“I have been running my whole life, and I want to support the cause,” Picca-Miller stated. “This is my first time for this race, though. I’m pretty excited!”

“We want to hold this every year,” Melissa said. “We hope more people will become aware of it and join us.”

The Overall First Place runner in the Men’s category was Jackson Konechusky, of Tamaqua, with a time of 20.38 minutes.

The Overall First Place runner in the Women’s category was Hannah Powell, of Philadelphia, with a time of 22.01 minutes.

The Overall First Place walker in the Men’s category was Jeremy Kametz, of Palmerton, with a time of 36.50.

The Overall First Place walker in the Women’s category was Jennifer Rapa, of Andreas, with a time of 37.39.