Daughters of Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run While Jogging Honor Her During Houston Marathon: ‘She Should Be Here’

Lilia Vazquez, who died in a hit-and-run incident while jogging in December, was honored in a special way at the Houston Marathon.

Spectators and the runner’s daughters, Mariana and Cecilia Vazquez, paid tribute to Lilia, 61, during the Chevron Houston Marathon on Jan. 19 by wearing bibs emblazoned with, “I run today in honor of Lilia Vazquez.”

Before she died, Lilia, a longtime runner, had planned to run the marathon.

“It’s just a very simple way to carry on her legacy,” Mariana told KHOU Channel 11 News ahead of the marathon. “I know it’s going to be equally heartbreaking, but also very, inspiring.” Cecilia added, “When I go and run it, it’s going to be paying homage to her and almost running it for her.”

According to KHOU 11, Lilia was a beloved member of Houston’s running community. She was struck by a truck while out for a jog on the morning of Dec. 13 near 9200 Westpark Drive in southwest Houston. The person responsible for the hit-and-run has not been caught. 

Her daughters opened up about how they are coping with her death. 

“What better time than now to use [running] to help carry me forward through the hardest time of my life,” Mariana told the outlet. “She should be here and I know it’s going to be emotional, but I’m also going to be very proud of the way she touched the community.”

“When I run, I feel like I’m more connected to her,” Cecilia added.

A GoFundMe fundraiser — set up “to ensure [Lilia] receives the dignified and beautiful burial she deserves and ease the financial burden on Lilia’s family” — has raised more than $44,000 of its $50,000 goal so far.

PEOPLE reached out to the Houston Police Department to obtain the latest information on the incident but did not immediately receive a response.

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KHOU 11 also added that the Houston Police Department released surveillance video of the suspected vehicle in late December. The vehicle that struck Vazquez is described as a black or dark-colored pickup truck that had a flat, rectangular piece of plywood in its cab and likely sustained front-end damage on the right side.

Authorities urge anyone with information on the incident to contact Houston Police Department directly or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers of Houston directly at 713-222-8477.