Click here to subscribe today or Login.
SCRANTON — Ben Evans and Tiffany Leventhal ran to victories in the 29th running of the Susan G. Komen Northeastern Pennsylvania (5K) Race for the Cure on Saturday.
Evans, 22, of Clarks Summit, led a field of 540 runners, breaking the tape in 17 minutes, 2 seconds. Nathan Myers, a 16-year-old, finished second, 27 seconds behind.
“I went out a little too fast at the beginning over mostly downhills,” said Evans, who ran track and cross country at Scranton Prep and Temple University. “I was hurting on the way back, which featured some tough uphills. But once I reached the top of the last uphill (400 meters remaining in the race), I sprinted to the finish. And I finished strong.”
Prep won two team district championships while Evans was on the squad.
Leventhal, 37, of Honesdale, won top female honors, finishing in 20:04. Carissa Flynn, a 14-year-old, finished second, 23 seconds behind.
“I ran hard the whole way,” said Leventhal, who ran track and cross country for Honesdale High School and the University of Scranton. “I was able to run hard throughout the entire race, thanks to all the support I got from the spectators all along the course — cheering me on and pushing me. They were awesome.”
Leventhal is an assistant track coach for the Hornets.
In addition to the 540 runners, over 2,000 walkers participated.
Money raised from the Scranton race goes to fight breast cancer. The money goes for education, screening and treatment grants to help women receive access to healthcare throughout 16 counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
According to Kathy Purcell, CEO of Komen, Greater Pennsylvania Affiliate and Dolly Woody, Director of Komen Greater Pennsylvania, this year’s Scranton race is expected to raise about $200,000.
“We are about 60 percent of that goal right now,” Purcell and Woody said. “We will continue receiving funds until the end of the month.”
Seventy-five percent of the money raised stays in the area. The other 25 percent goes for cancer research.
RACE RESULTS
Top 3 male finishers
Ben Evans, 22, Clarks Summit, 17:03
Nathan Myers, 16, Mehoppany, 17:30
Dan Danilovitz, 13, 18:07
Male age group winners: 17 & under:Nathan Myers, 17:30; Dan Danilovitz, 18:08; Ryan Calpin, 21:17. 18 & over: Tim Nowakowski, 18:18; Paul VanLuvender, 18:30.
Top 3 female finishers
Tiffany Leventhal, 37, Honesdale, 20:04
Carissa Flynn, 20:27
Gina Morgan, 31, 21:00
Top cancer survivor finishers: Terri Policare, Clarks Green, 22:57; Jennifer Kincel, 26:08; Melissa Boettger, 27:10.
Female age group winners: 17 & under: Carissa Flynn, 20:26; Lydia Wasko, 26:36; Lily Harden, 26:55. 18 & over: Gina Morgan, 21:00; Kris Danilovitz, 22:12.
Field: 540 runners, over 2,000 walkers. Starter: Matt Byrne. Timing and results: Scranton Running Company.
Schedule
Sunday, Oct. 13: 24th annual Steamtown Marathon, starting at Forest City Regional High School at 8 a.m. and finishing at Courthouse Square, Scranton. Info: [email protected]
Sunday, Oct. 27: Wyoming Valley Striders 32nd annual Fall Trail Run (5.5 mile age-group graded race) at the pavilion, near the boat launch area, of Frances Slocum State Park, Kingston Twp. at noon. Info: Don Grose, 570-239-5792 or Linda Wojnar, 570-262-0603.