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September 14, 2009

Racing for a great cause

ROBERT MINER For The Times Leader

SCRANTON – Leanna Nastar entered Scranton’s 2009 Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure 5K Run on Saturday at Courthouse Square because she wanted to support the fight against breast cancer.

The former Bucknell University standout track and cross country runner – who is now a grad student at Marywood University, majoring in nutrition – has recently become very interested in fighting cancer, as a result of research that she’s been doing on early detection of lung cancer for her thesis.

The 24-year-old from Dunmore ran away with the run, breaking the tape in 19 minutes and 11 seconds. She outraced second-place finisher, Meg Lewis, 18, of New Milford, by 1:40. Taryn Giumento, 23, from Scranton, finished third, seven seconds behind Giumento.

“I just tried to keep an even pace throughout the race,” said Nastar, a former Patriot League cross country champ for the Bison. “I pulled away from the other front running females somewhere between a quarter of a mile and a half-mile into the race. After that, I just concentrated on picking off male runners. This race is for a great cause. And I just wanted to be a part of it.”

Kyle Piazza wanted to do his part in the fight against breast cancer. And the 18-year-old from Dallas won the male division of the run, breaking the tape in 17:47. The University of Scranton ROTC student outran second-place finisher, Bornfasg Nyandusi Omurwa, a 25-year-old Kenyan, who is currently living in Kingston, by 24 seconds. L.J. Carlucci, 23, of Scranton, finished third, 25 seconds behind Nyandusi Omurwa.

“I went out fast and stayed with the lead pack,” said Piazza. “I settled into a nice pace and then just tried to maintain it. Eventually, the other front runners fell back. And I had the lead all to myself. After that, I just gradually increased my lead. I put on a sprint over the last 400 meters and tried to finish as well as I could. I finished strong.”

This year’s race, counting runners and walkers, drew a field of about 6,500.

According to Dolly Woody, the Susan G. Komen Foundation Affiliate for Northeastern Pennsylvania, the race raised an estimated $250,000 to fight breast cancer. Woody said that 75 percent of the money raised by the event will stay locally to be used for education, screening and treatment for uninsured male and female cancer patients in the Northeastern Pennsylvania area. The other 25 percent will be sent to the Susan G. Komen Foundation headquarters in Dallas, Texas to be used for research only.

 

2009 Scranton Race for the Cure results

Top 5 Male finishers in 5K run

Kyle Piazza, 18, Dallas, 17:47

Bornfasg Nyandusi Omurwa, 25, Kingston, 18:11

L.J. Carlucci, 23, Scranton, 18:36

Jake Winowich, 23, Clarks Summit, 18:39

Brandon Bednash, 15, Eynon, 19:01

First male to finish 5K fun walk: Jim Boettgen, 59, Dunmore, 36:02. First male cancer survivor to finish 5K fun walk: Mark Goldsein, 76, Randolph, N.J., 42:35.

Top 5 female finishers in 5K run

Leanna Nastar, 24, Dunmore, 19:11

Meg Lewis, 18, New Milford, 20:51

Taryn Giumento, 23, Scranton, 20:58

Lyndsay Weidow, 26, Scranton, 21:09

Amy Neugebauer, 36, Honesdale, 21:51

First female finisher to finish 5K fun walk: Lindee Kent, 48, Prompton, 23:37. First female cancer survivor to finish 5K fun walk: Maggie Prudente, Clarks Summit, 53, 46:05. Field: Aprox. 6,500 (field includes run and fun walk). Official starter: Bob Spagna. Timing and results: Scranton Organized Area Runners. Race director: Michelle Tierney. Susan G. Komen Affiliate for Northeastern Pennsylvania: Dolly Woody.

Schedule:

Today: Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley’s inaugural running of the Nora Libenson Memorial 5K Run/Walk (proceeds go to fight Parkinson’s disease) at 10:30 a.m. at the JCC camp site, off Route 415, one mile before Harveys Lake. Info: Bill Buzza, 824-4646.

Oct. 4: Scranton Lupus Loop 5K Run/Walk at 11 a.m. at Nay Aug Park, Scranton. Info: Janice Liddic, 558-2008.

Oct. 25: Wilkes-Barre Lupus Loop 5K Run/Walk at 11 a.m. at Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. Info: Janice Liddic, 558-2008.

Nov. 1: Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley’s Benjamin August 3 Mile Run/Walk at 10:30 a.m. at the JCC. S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Info: Bill Buzza, 824-4646.

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