Coming together for Michael Chippi’s 5k Run and Walk

PECKVILLE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — More than 500 runners and walkers laced up their shoes and braced the heat for a cause.

The sound of the horn this morning marked the start of the second annual Michael Chippi 5k Run and Walk at the Blakely Borough Recreation Complex.

The event honors Michael “Chippi” Cawley the 28-year-old Peckville man who died last year from a seizure shortly after being diagnosed with epilepsy.

The event began as a fundraiser for the Epilepsy Foundation but with more funding. Organizers were able to donate to more charities.

Cawley’s family started a memorial scholarship in his honor for Valley View senior athletes.

“My son was a wrestler for Valley View so we did a wrestling scholarship and our beneficiaries are great. And we just do it for a good cause to keep my son’s memory alive, and do it for a good reason as well,” explained Stacey Cawley, Michael’s mom.

Gift cards were given out to different age group winners. Each participant was also given a free t-shirt.

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