When an important member of the Northwest Indiana running community passes away, a race held in their memory is a fitting way to gather friends and family in their honor. Liz Scott, wife, mother,teacher, and cross country coach was tragically struck by a car while running on the roads of Chesterton. Hundreds of community members gathered at Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve on Saturday to not only run a three-mile course, but to also cope with the loss of a loved one together.
“We heard from runners that they wanted to come together,” said Heather Henderlong, Co-Owner of The Extra Mile. “We all worked together to put on the race to help the community get through the loss of Liz.”
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It was clear that Liz touched the lives of everyone she came across, as crowds of people from all different parts of the community came to one of Liz’s favorite running locations.
“This is where her and her running partner came and ran a lot,” said Henderlong.
Along with Henderlong and the help of Extra Mile, Paul Stofko, Brenda Campbell, and Steve Kearney came together to make sure Liz would be honored in the best way possible.
Stofko, whose two children had Liz as a teacher at the Field Station Cooperative, said, “She loved the kids. She was always having a good time and always smiling. She was always energetic and happy to be there.”
Before runners crossed the start line, Steve Kearney said a prayer, followed by a moment of silence.
Liz’s athleticism did not stop at running. With her father coaching the Munster Softball team, Liz was an athlete her whole life.
“She was a good athlete in a lot of other things before she started running,” said Campbell. “She was a national softball player. Everything she did, she was good at it. She loved to compete and she loved to run. She would run with other people and she would run alone.”
Campbell, who worked with Liz at the Field Station, was more than happy to help make a memorial run happen for her friend and coworker.
“This race is amazing. I think Liz would say, ‘holy cow.’ I think she would love it. I’m also glad her family is here and this is something they can do,” said Campbell.
After such a heartbreaking event takes someone’s life, a community must not only grieve, but also learn.
“We thought this would also be a great way to be an advocate for running safety,” said Henderlong. “As a runner, you need to be aware of the cars coming at you. Wear bright colored clothing, take off your headphones, and listen for cars. As car drivers, know that the runners are out and look for them. Slow down and have a courtesy for them. It’s all about working together.”
Bumper stickers reading “Remember Liz, slow down, runners on the road” were handed out, as well as stickers with Liz’s initials.