Gone But Not Forgotten: Hundreds Turn Out for Run
While Robert Nagel and Edward Coombs may be gone, the community showed Saturday morning the two have not been forgotten.
Between 600 to 800 runners, walkers and joggers of all ages took part in the Team EC/RN 5K Run and Walk Hatboro-Horsham High School on Saturday.
The race was in honor of Nagel and Coombs, both 2010 graduates of the high school, who died in an August car crash in Horsham.
The huge turn out shocked event organizers.
“The turnout is awesome! I really didn’t expect this many people,” organizer Jackie DiPietro said.
“[Robert and Edward] would be amazed to see this many people knew them and cared about them,” she added.
Edward’s mother Forrestine said, “I know Edward and Robert are looking down right now saying ‘can you believe this?’ ”
The event was organized by seniors Connor Nagel, brother of Robert, and Jackie DiPietro, Coomb’s girlfriend of two years.
The two approached Hatboro-Horsham High School Principal Dennis Williams a few weeks after the crash asking if they could organize the 5K as their senior project. Williams said he didn’t hesitate and approved the idea.
“We thought the race was a good idea because it was something that everyone could participate in,” Connor said.
Both Connor and Jackie admitted that all of the hard work they put into planning Saturday morning’s race was a sort of therapy for them.
The registration for the race cost $20, and the funds that are raised benefit the Edward Coombs Foundation, which will help to fund college scholarships, Forrestine said. Baked goods, clothing items and raffle tickets were also sold to raise money for the foundation.
Race organizers thanked the many sponsors and all the participants who supported them.
Among the participants in today’s race were members of the Chestnut Hill College lacrosse team. The college team came out in honor of Edward, who was a standout lacrosse player and helped the Hatters share a league title with Central Bucks East High School.
As the first runners began to cross the finish line, Jackie said she hopes to make the run a yearly event.
Williams said, “There was a great turnout today and it really confirms how I feel about this community.”
https://horsham.patch.com/articles/gone-but-not-forgotten-hundreds-turnout-for-run
