Home Town Loop Offers a Chance to Remember

On a hot and humid day, more than 200 runners lined up in Bellefonte to run Herbie’s Home Town Loop in honor of Jeremy Herbstritt, the Bellefonte High School and Penn State graduate who died during the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007.

The 10th running of the event offered two choices for runners, 4-mile and 10-mile loops, and offered a way for family, friends and members of the community to remember and honor Jeremy. It was held in conjunction with the Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair at Talleyrand Park.

“It is so great to have this one day dedicated to Jeremy, because he never got to have his wedding, his graduation and all these other milestones, so we are glad to have this day for him,” said Jen Herbstritt, Jeremy’s sister, who also serves as the event planner for the race and charity. Jen Herbstritt said her brother loved going to races around the area to run, meet new friends and especially to enjoy the food after the race, so they try to make his race as racer friendly as possible. And, indeed, there was plenty of food available to runners before and after the race, along with prizes, shirts and plenty of fluids.

The course was chosen because it is route that Jeremy used to run with his siblings, and it starts off with a hill that was a challenge on this hot day.

Friends of Jeremy’s from college and high school do their best to come out for the event and

reminisce about someone who they love and miss.

Jacques Hoffler, of Philadelphia, was friends with Jeremy since they were freshman at Penn State together and was glad to make it this year, marking the fifth time he has run.

“It feels good to come. We can kind of bring him back to life for one day, and share that with the community,” said Hoffler. “The best part is being able to sit and laugh and tell stories with his family and other friends, and just remember what a great person he was.”

The event had a goal in the beginning to help provide a track to Bellefonte Area High School, where Jeremy was runner in high school. Because of a stall on the track project, Jen Hebstritt said that the money raised will go to new causes this year, including Centre Volunteers in Medicine and a local family with a child who has lymphopenia with partial severe combined immune deficiency syndrome.

Victoria Raish, who came in first place for women in the 4-mile race, said it was fun and the causes were worthy.

“I think the way they remember Jeremy and the causes are wonderful,” said Raish. “I have kids, so I can never imagine having to handle a serious disease with my kids, so I think is so good to be able help this family in need.”

“I think Jeremy would have loved this event,” said Jen Herbstritt, thinking about her brother. “We do our best to honor him, and the community, and all the volunteers make it fun.”

For more information, visit https://thejeremyherbstrittfoundation.com.