The Watsontown JesVic 5K was started in 2007 by Shannon (Hoffman) Pyles and Suzie (Wade) Watts to honor two community women, Jessica Wade and Vicki Hitesman, who both passed away from cancer. Jessica was a blue-eyed, athletic 20-year-old, a graduate of Warrior Run High School, who pursued a college degree. Among her many goals was to run a marathon someday. The other—a former nurse who touched the lives of the patients and their families from her early days at Williamsport Hospital and Kramm’s Nursing Home. She was a survivor of Hodgkin’s disease. Her youngest son played baseball, her oldest ran cross country at Warrior Run. Vicki and her husband (who is also a runner) supported the cross-country team, and all their sons’ endeavors.
Both had touched the lives of those in their community and in their workplace. We hope this race will continue that legacy.
The money raised supports local families with members facing disease and struggling with the resulting medical bills. In its first 15 years, the 5K has raised more than $60,000 with the support of sponsor businesses, donations, volunteers, runners, walkers, spectators and friends. The JesVic organizers, and those supported by the funds, are forever grateful.