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Runners take off to start the King’s College 5K Run/Walk in Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday morning.

BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

Williams

Rizzo

WILKES-BARRE – Bennett Williams and Alana Rizzo fought through the stiff winds in Kirby Park Sunday, scoring victories in the King’s College 5K Run.

Williams’ win was in wire-to-wire fashion, breaking the tape in 19 minutes. The 15-year-old from Kingston outran second-place finisher Brian Thomas, 41, of Tunkhannock, by 45 seconds.

“(Thomas) was the only guy running near me (trailing by about 200 yards) early in the race,” said Williams. “He fell off the pace about half way through the race. That’s when I gradually started pulling away. The wind was really tough, especially on the way back. I just kept running as fast as I could and gradually built my lead.”

Williams is home schooled, but runs cross country and track for Wyoming Valley West High School.

Unlike Williams, Rizzo had to come from behind to score her win in 25:44. The 20-year-old from Hazleton caught and passed second-place finisher Mary Stabinsky going up the last hill (dike) with about one mile remaining in the race.

“(Stabinsky) slowed up on that hill. And that’s when I made my move,” said Rizzo, who is a sophomore back court player on the Misericordia University volleyball team. “

Stabinsky, a 34-year-old avid bike rider from Plains Township, finished 34 seconds behind the winner.

Rizzo said that the wind was extremely bad, especially on the way back to the finish line.

“It wasn’t too bad on the way out,” Rizzo said. “But after the turnaround, the wind became a major factor. I had to go against the wind the entire second half of the race. I just put my head down as low as it could go. And I was able to build on my lead.”

The King’s 5K is sponsored by the college’s International Business & Economics Club and by the King’s College Campus Ministry.

King’s College 5K Run results

Top 10

Bennett Williams, 11-15, Kingston, 19:00

Brian Thomas, 40-44, Tunkhannock, 19:45

Jeff Austin, 11-15, Pringle, 21:00

Andy Demko, 45-49, Huntington Mills, 21:11

Jim Wozhiak, 30-39, Alexandria, Va., 21:12

Paul Manley, 30-39, Plymouth, 21:45

Chris Tobias, 20-29, Wilkes-Barre, 21:57

Robert Miller, 50-59, Forty Fort, 22:05

Bob Warnagiris, 50-54, Hunlock Creek, 22:38

Stephen Page, 20-29, Clarks Summit, 22:58

Male award winners: Overall: Williams. Age group winners: 10 & under: None. 11-15: Jeff Austin. 20-29: Chris Tobias. 30-39: Jim Wozhiak. 40-44: Brian Thomas. 45-49: Andy Demko. 50-54: Robert Miller. 60 & over: William Surridge. Special awards: First King’s staff finisher: Marc Marchese. First King’s student to finish: Chris Tobias (seventh overall).

Top 3 female finishers

Alana Rizzo, 20-29, Hazleton, 25:44

Mary Stabinsky, 30-39, Plains Twp., 26:18

Stacey Lee, 30-39, Kingston, 27:15

Female award winners: Overall: Rizzo. Age group winners: 10 & under: None. 11-15: Alyson Manley. 16-19: Lauren Suchenski. 20-29: Nicole Buckman. 30-39: Mary Stabinsky. 40-44: Sheila Skoronski. 45-49: Irene Ghezzi. 50-54: Jane Colwell. 55-59: None. 60 & over: None. Special award: First alumnus to finish: Sarah Cruikshank.

Field: 50 (run), 5 (walk). Official starter: Meera Patel. Timing: Insta Results. Results: King’s students. Race director: Dr. Bindu Vyas.

Schedule

Saturday, April 30: Cancer Awareness 5K Run and Fun Walk at Luzerne County Community College, Prospect St., Nanticoke at 10 a.m. Info: Miranda Costa, 740-0237.

Sunday, May 1: Wyoming Valley Striders 37th annual Cherry Blossom 5 Mile Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk “Tim Thomas Memorial” (the run is the second leg of the Striders Triple Crown) at Kirby Park at 10 a.m. Info: Vince Wojnar, 474-5363.

Sunday, May 8: Wyoming Valley Striders 20th annual Spring Trail (5.3 mile) Run at the pavilion, near the boat launch area) at Frances Slocum State Park at 1 p.m. Info: Vince Wonar, 474-5363.

Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day): Forty Fort Lions’ Old Fort 5 Miler at the Forty Fort Borough Park, Wyoming Ave., Fort Fort at 9 a.m. Info: Bernie Popson, 498-7665.