Oct 11, 2008 6:45 pm US/Central
A Year After Death, Runner Honored With Race
(WCCO)
A Mankato State student was doing what she loved when she was killed last year. Caty Delwiche was struck and killed by an SUV while on a training run near campus. Saturday her teammates, friends, and family honored Delwiche with a memorial race at Land of Memories Park.
Delwiche's death hit her teammates very hard last fall.
"It's been tough. I'm not going to lie. Probably not a day goes by that we don't think about her at least once during the day. This past two weeks brought up a lot of emotions again and whatnot," said Mankato State Women's Cross Country Coach Jen Blue.
It was just over a year ago that Delwiche and a friend were hit while training on the sidewalk. Delwiche was killed instantly, her friend Laura Palmer was injured. Just days after the deadly accident, her teammates raced. Now, the race is known as Caty's Run.
"Now that it's Caty's Run it just kind of puts more meaning to it. We do it for her. Instead of just another race it's Caty's Run," said teammate Samantha Smith.
Delwiche's dad Jeff also ran alongside his daughter's teammates. It was something the dad and daughter often did together and now, how he keeps running for her.
"She was a wonderful girl. I'm sorry more people didn't get to meet her. We miss her desperately," he said.
Though her absence is painful, the race gives her loved ones a chance to think of what they treasured the most.
"She always had a smile on her face, she could definitely brighten anyone's day," said Smith.
"It hurts because she should be among them, but it's great just to see them here and having a good time, because she would want that," added Jeff.
The driver who hit Delwiche pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving without due care. Alcohol was not involved in the crash. Dave Hoechst told police after the accident that he was sick. He received a sentence of 90 days in jail.
The Delwiche family received a settlement from the Hoechst's insurance company. They plan on using the money for several memorials in Delwiche's honor.
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