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WILKES-BARRE — David Haines battled high temperature, high humidity and a competitive field to come out on top and provide another cause for celebration on the Fourth of July.

Haines led a field of more than 600 runners in capturing overall honors in the 35th annual YMCA 3-Mile Run, “Bernie’s Memorial,” on Wednesday in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Haines battled grueling temperatures — and Chris McCabe — to earn the win.

Haines, 18, of Moscow crossed the finish line in 15 minutes and two seconds, followed by McCabe who pulled in less than five seconds later.

“(McCabe) held about a 5 to 10 second lead over me over the first two miles,” Haines said. “Then I tried increasing my stride to see if I could catch him. I was hoping he would slow down — but he didn’t. Then I was able to find that next gear. And I was able to catch him.

“We ran together for about a half mile. I was able to get a couple of seconds lead on him. And I was able to hold it.”

Haines will be a sophomore at Marywood University where he runs track and cross country. This was the former North Pocono High School standout’s first race since the end of track season in May. Haines said the 5K is his best distance.

McCabe won the Wyoming Valley Striders Cherry Blossom 5-Mile Foot Race on May 6, as well as the Old Fort 5-Miler on Memorial Day in Forty Fort.

Lauren LaRoche, a 32-year-old from Pittsburgh, won top female honors, finishing 11th overall in 17:30, while Kendal Kelly of Albuqerque, New Mexico, finished second, less than five seconds behind LaRoche. Kelly Ciravolo, 39, of Shavertown, finished third in 17:58.

Ciravolo is the area’s most successful triathlete, having won the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon five times, and the Wilkes-Barre Duathlon four times.

The YMCA 3-miler is called “Bernie’s Memorial” in memory of Bernie Hargadon, the founder of the race, who served as executive director at the Y for 18 years. Hargadon died in 1994 at age 55. A total of 40 family members and relatives from as far away as Ventnor City, N.J., Philadelphia and California ran in the race. They have raced in memory of Hargadon every year since 1994. Hargadon’s wife, Mary Jane and daughter, Sara worked as volunteers at the race.

35th annual WIlkes-Barre YMCA 3 Mile Run “Bernie’s Memorial” results

Top 3 male overall winners

David Haines, 18, Moscow, 15:02

Chris McCabe, 23, Carlisle, 15:07

Kurt Sod, N/A, Trucksville, 16:30

Age group winners: 10 & under: 1. Caden Moreck, Forty Fort, 24:35; 2. Aidan Hilburt, N/A, 27:01. 11-14: 1. Dan Danilovitz, Moosic, 17:24; 2. Sebastian Segiel, Gouldsboro, 18:10. 15-19: 1. Tavian McKenna, N/A, 17:14; 2. Logan Desciak, N/A, 20:31. 20-24: Mickey Moorhead, Philadelphia, 16:36; 2. Keegan Desciak, N/A, 19:46. 25-29: 1. Nick Summons, N/A, 17:36; 2. Bernie Gavlick, Ashley, 18:28. 30-34: 1. John Martino, Dallas, 17:26; 2. Kyle Franceski, N/A, 18:46. 35-39: 1. Barry Snyder, N/A, 17:13; 2. Pat Leonard, Scranton, 17:33. Masters division: 40-44: 1. Mike Adamshick, N/A, 17:59; 2. Brian Davidson, N/A, 20:34. 45-49: Sean Robbins, Dallas, 17:22; 2. Bob Kelly, Albuquerque, N.M., 17:47. 50-54: 1. John Jeddic, N/A, 18:39; 2. Mike Burton, N/A, 20:08. 55-59: 1. 55-59: 1. George Dunbar, Old Forge, 20:53; 2. Joe Kichilinsky, N/A, 21:08. 60-69: 1. Brian Conniff, Moscow, 19:00; 2. Andy Semanchik, Larksville, 22:29. 70 & over: 1. Max Furek, Nescopeck, 25:11; 2. George Cosmetis, Dalton, 28:05.

Top 3 female winners

Lauren LaRoche, 32, Pittsburgh, 17:30

Kendal Kelly, N/A, Albuquerque, N.M., 17:35

Kelly Ciravolo, 39, Shavertown, 17:58

Age group winners: 10 & under: 1. Catherine Gallagher, na, 33:33; 2. Annalise Werner, White Haven, 41:03. 11-14: Annabel Dobash, Mountain Top, 24:23; 2. Makenzie Switzer, N/A, 25:47. 15-19: 1. Emma Fortune, N/A, 20:08; 2. Ashleigh Clarke, N/A, 20:31. 20-24: 1. Shelby Foster, King of Prussia, 19:37; 2. Olivia Lanza, N/A, 19:47. 25-29: 1. Marina Martino, Dallas, 18:24; 2. Mary Frank, N/A, 21:16. 30-34: 1. Eryn Milius, Dallas, 19:03; 2. Jennifer Roman, Wilkes-Barre Twp., 21:47. 35-39: 1. Charlene Aquiliana, N/A, 20:49; 2. Erin Moreck, Forty Fort, 21:53. Masters division: 40-44: 1. Thor Nelson, N/A, 21:11; 2. Karen Shedlock, Forty Fort, 21:26. 45-49: 1. Kris Danilovitz, Moosic, 20:30; 2. Kim Segiel, Gouldsboro, 20:41. 50-59: 1. Annette Kaminski, N/A, 25:24; 2. B.J. Segear, N/A, 27:53. 60-69: 1. Joyce Foster, Mountain Top, 25:11; 2. Pat Sample, Dallas, 29:42.

Field: 636. Starters: Phil Latinski and Joe Coyne. Timing and results: Scranton Running Company (scrantonrunning.com). Race director: Lauranel Banks. YMCA Executive Director: Jim Thomas.

Schedule

Saturday: Susquehanna River Runners Club’s 2 Miler at Murphy’s Pub, Slocum St., Swoyersville at 9 a.m. Info: Chris Wadas, 570-592-2820.

Saturday, July 14: Pennsylvania Summer Biathlon (5K run and 25 meter shoot) at Nescopeck Huntin and Rifle Club, Pine St., Nescopeck at 9:30 a.m. There is a safety clinic — mandatory for first-time shooters — at 8:30 a.m. Info: Frank Gaval, 570-788-4219.

Wednesday, July 25: Susquehanna River Runners Club’s Fastest Man/Fastest Woman Series. Race No. 1. Meal Prep Grind Mile on the track at Misericordia University (this is the first of three 1-milers that make up the series) at 7 p.m. Info: Chris Wadas, 570-592-2820.

Husband and wife Lora and John Stanish, of Swoyersville, take a pre-run selfie before running the 3-mile Run for Bernie, Fourth of July morning. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Run-for-Bernie-1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgHusband and wife Lora and John Stanish, of Swoyersville, take a pre-run selfie before running the 3-mile Run for Bernie, Fourth of July morning. Tony Callaio | For Times LeaderTony Callaio | For Times Leader

Ashleigh Clarke, 18-yrs. old of Factoryville, does a pre-race jog to warm up before the race. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Run-for-Bernie-2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAshleigh Clarke, 18-yrs. old of Factoryville, does a pre-race jog to warm up before the race. Tony Callaio | For Times LeaderTony Callaio | For Times Leader

Marywood University student David Haines was the overall winner of the 3-mile YMCA Run on Wednesday morning in a time of 15:02.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Run-for-Bernie-4-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMarywood University student David Haines was the overall winner of the 3-mile YMCA Run on Wednesday morning in a time of 15:02. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

Lauren LaRoche was the top female finisher at Wednesday’s YMCA Run in Wilkes-Barre in a time of 17:30.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Run-for-Bernie-5-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLauren LaRoche was the top female finisher at Wednesday’s YMCA Run in Wilkes-Barre in a time of 17:30. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

More than 600 runners start the 3-mile YMCA Run on Wednesday at the corner of Market and River streets in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Run-for-Bernie-3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMore than 600 runners start the 3-mile YMCA Run on Wednesday at the corner of Market and River streets in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

By Robert Miner

For Times Leader