Race to 'Keep Their Memory Going'

If Connor Nagel and Jackie DiPietro have their way, the names and will remain on the lips of the Horsham area community for many years to come.

Connor and Jackie, both seniors at , are organizing the Team EC/RN 5K Run and Walk on Oct. 15 to honor the 2010 graduates who . Connor is the younger brother of Robert and Jackie was Coombs’ girlfriend of two years.

“Just keeping busy makes it a little easier,” Jackie said of coping with Coombs’ death during a 5K sign-up at Maple Glen Pizza recently.

And the teens have definitely been busy. Since they jointly came up with the idea in late August, Connor and Jackie have created and distributed fliers; coordinated with sponsors to either pay for or supply goods for the event; and assembled a team to help with registrations. To date, 300 people have signed up to race. Jackie said they are hoping for another 200.

The race co-creators have gotten permission to do the 5K walk and run as their senior project. But, at the end of the day, it’s about the two young men whose lives were tragically cut short at age 19.

“It’s just to keep their names out there and keep their memory going,” Connor said.

If you go

The Team EC/RN 5K Run/Walk will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Hatboro-Horsham High School on Oct. 15. Cost is $20. Awards will be given to the first place winners in each of the various age groups, beginning at age 5 through 60 and over. Proceeds will be donated to the Edward Coombs Foundation and will help to fund scholarships.

For more information, e-mail Connor or Jackie at ecrn5kwalk@gmail.com.