NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Runners across the country came together to honor a woman who never got to finish her final jog.
On Oct. 14, 34-year-old Alyssa Lokits was killed while exercising on an Antioch greenway. Runners returned to that greenway on Monday night to honor her life. Alyssa's family members told News 2 that Alyssa was determined.
"We know that what we're doing for her is honoring her," Alyssa's sister, Abby Lokits, said.
That's why groups of people across the country have crossed the finish line for her. The movement is called Run for Alyssa.
"The outpouring of support from people all over the world has been so incredible ad overwhelmingly amazing," Abby added.
"People from everywhere — on Alyssa's Instagram page, you can see there's people from overseas that are running," runner Jessica Ketner said. "Locally, we're running."
Jessica Ketner led the run on Mill Creek Greenway, which was the same trail Alyssa jogged when police said that Paul Park randomly attacked her. Police arrested him for her murder.
"We were shocked," Abby said. "We have nothing to say about him at all because we want to honor her and share her to the world."
Besides running, her family said that Alyssa's resume stands as a nod to her determination. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a PhD and supported women's rights through volunteer work.
Abby lives in Denver, but she added that she hopes to plan an event in Nashville around Alyssa's birthday.