SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Runners hit the streets of Scranton on Saturday, honoring the memory of a soldier and carrying on a legacy of community giving.
Runners in the 13th Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K raced through the downtown to help start day two of La Festa Italiana.
More than 200 runners and walkers took off through center city, bibs pinned and crowds cheering along the route.
The Unico Scranton race honors West Scranton native Minicozzi, who helped organize La Festa's first 5K before his death in 2012.
His sister keeps the event going in his honor.
La Festa Italiana serving up smiles to newcomers
"You see some of these people they've been running in my brother's race for the past 13 years, some of them were running when they were in their teens, now they're in the 20 and 30 brackets, some of the older people even, we see them running and now they're bringing their children that are participating in the 14 and under bracket. So that's what the fun part is," Sister of Captain Minicozzi and Race Director Leslie Minicozzi Galacci told 28/22 News.
"You looked around and people were there and they were cheering and the motorcyclists were going back and forth, and it really was an attitude of honor and remembrance and that made me feel like if I'm suffering for a minute, I can do this," Jefferson Township resident Kristin Patchell said.
Organizers say the event aims to raise at least $10,000 each year for the Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA's Christmas Party as well as scholarships at Minicozzi's alma mater, West Scranton High School.
