Ed Wascavage, an LHU student and a Kappa Delta Rho brother, passed away on Aug. 10. Neal Newmark will run the Bald Eagle Megatransect in honor of Ed and to raise money for drug awareness program.


After the death of his Kappa Delta Rho fraternity brother, senior Neal Newmark decided to dedicate his run in the Bald Eagle Megatransect to his lost friend.

Ed Wascavage, 21, died Aug. 10 in a drug-related accident in Lock Haven.

Newmark is taking monetary pledges for every mile he completes of the 25 Mile, a trail course to create a drug awareness program for third through fifth graders at the Lock Haven YMCA.
Wascavage pledged the fraternity in the fall of 2006. That year he won the Danny Hildebrandt award for the best pledge.
Wascavage was an avid snowboarder and skateboarder.

He was recognizable for his curly hair and glasses as well as his approachable demeanor.

"Anyone that met Ed would say he left his mark on them," Newmark said.
Newmark began training for the Megatransect in early June after a hike with his father in Pike County.
He decided to dedicate the race to Wascavage the day he found out about his death.
That night Newmark had what he jokingly calls a Forrest Gump moment, where he just kept running.
On that 15 mile run, the farthest he had gone at one time up to that point, Newmark's mind raced with memories of his fallen brother.

"All I could think about was Ed," Newmark said. "I wanted to dedicate my run to Ed. I want people to know about him and about drugs."

Newmark's run for drug awareness has already garnered sponsorship by Haven Shoes and donations from several Greek organizations, as well as individuals.
In the week leading up to the Oct. 4 race, Newmark hopes to find more pledges from Lock Haven businesses.
After doing some research, Newmark discovered there are no drug prevention programs in the Lock Haven area.

He did discover that the YMCA holds an afterschool program for grades three through five.
Newmark hopes to visit the program monthly to talk to them about the dangers of drugs. He plans to apply the money earned from the race to T-shirts, travel, information and other necessities to get the program running.
Though the program is in its infancy, Newmark has high hopes and the backing of YMCA CEO Jerry Clark.

When he was studying at Delaware Valley High School, Newmark was involved with a group called Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU).
He said he loved working with younger students through that organization.
With plans set for fundraising Newmark continues to focus on his training. Since coming to LHU in 2005, Newmark says he has had an interest in the Megatransect.
"It was always something I said I wanted to do before I graduated," said Newmark who will graduate in December.
Newmark has no formal track or cross country experience, but genetics may be his inspiration for the endeavor.
"My dad (Michael) was a marathon runner when he was in his 20s. Maybe that's where it came from," Newmark said with a smile.
Newmark has set weekly goals throughout the summer and now runs 40 miles per week, splitting the runs up over three days. He typically breaks that day's workload into a morning and evening run.
Since returning to Lock Haven, he has taken his routine to the dike, streets and trails surrounding LHU.
Newmark has also received advice from Kappa Delta Rho brothers, Thom Hunter and Josh Savani who have since graduated, but ran the race two years ago.
The grueling race that takes its 600 participants over Bald Eagle Mountain is more of a personal feat than a competition for Newmark.
"The perk of the race is just finishing it," he said. "That should be the motto