The family and friends of runner Alyssa Lokits are mourning her loss after she was killed on October 14 on the popular Mill Creek Greenway Trail in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to news reports, Lokits was exercising on the trail at about 5:30 p.m. Witnesses heard her scream, “Help! He’s trying to rape me,” followed by gunshots. Lokits died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Police made an arrest in the case the next day. Paul Park, 29, was charged with criminal homicide.
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According to her obituary, she had a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Vanderbilt. She is survived by her parents, eight siblings and their spouses, plus a large extended family.
“Alyssa was the best of us,” the obituary reads, in part. “She deeply loved her family and friends. Always poised, graceful, and beautiful, she was everyone’s champion. An avid traveler, she spoke several languages, and loved to take on new challenges ranging from home renovation, to art, and any topic she set her mind to.”
According to Athlinks, Lokits finished the 2022 St. Jude Rock ’n’ Roll half marathon in 2:11:13. She has results for two additional half marathons.
The “Races - Places” Instagram account is encouraging people to walk or run for Lokits at 5 p.m. on October 21, post photos, and tag social media with #runforAlyssa. “We all wanted to be her when we grew up,” wrote the creators of the account, before listing some of her many activities: “running, hiking singing, traveling, dancing, yogi-ing, cooking, adventuring, laughing, learning, hugging, holding, loving.”
Contributions in her honor can be made to Other Hearst Subscriptions, Runners Help Rebuild This Running Hotbed.
Give A Gift is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World Fiona OKeeffe Is on the Road to Recovery, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
