Larger pot draws 3,000 at Scranton Half Marathon

By Robert Miner

For Times Leader

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_runner1.jpg.optimal.jpg

Suleman Shifa, 22, of Ethiopia was the first male finisher in the Scranton Half Marathon on Sunday.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL041116marathon1.jpg.optimal.jpgSuleman Shifa, 22, of Ethiopia was the first male finisher in the Scranton Half Marathon on Sunday.

Scranton’s own Heidi Peoples, 36, ran to her third straight win in the Scranton Half, finishing in 1:18:50.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL041116marathon2.jpg.optimal.jpgScranton’s own Heidi Peoples, 36, ran to her third straight win in the Scranton Half, finishing in 1:18:50.

Jeremiah Phillips talks to his son Ethan, 5, at the end of the Scranton Half Marathon on Sunday. Three thousand people took part in the event.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL041116marathon3.jpg.optimal.jpgJeremiah Phillips talks to his son Ethan, 5, at the end of the Scranton Half Marathon on Sunday. Three thousand people took part in the event.

SCRANTON — Bigger prize money at the 3rd annual Scranton Half Marathon on Sunday made for a quality field. And Suleman Shifa ran away with the field of 3,000 runners.

The 22-year-old Ethiopian, who is currently living in New York City, broke the tape in 1 hour, 5 minutes and 31 seconds, setting a new course record and winning $1,000 (last year’s top prize was $500). Shifa outran second-place finisher, Thomas Porter, 25, of New Haven, Conn., by four minutes.Porter won $750.

Last year’s winner, Kevin Borelli, 33, of Dickson City, finished third, just seven seconds behind Porter. Borrelli, who was a standout runner for Duquesne University won $500. Rob Ahrens, 28, of Clarks Summit, who won the inaugural running of the half marathon, finished fourth, just four seconds behind Borrelli, winning $300.

Fifth-place finisher, Dickson Mercer, 34, of Washington D.C., (1:09:59, $100) said Shifa, who has won two marathons and now two half marathons, went out really hard right from the gun.

“After that, it was a race for second,” Mercer said.

You don’t have to look out of town to find a quality female runner.

Scranton’s own Heidi Peoples ran to her third straight win in the Scranton Half, finishing in 1:18:50. Her time was about two minutes slower than her winning time from last year. But her prize money of $1,000 was twice as much from last year.

Samantha Snead, 27, of Moscow, who was a fine runner for Penn State Worthington, finished second in 1:25:22, winning $750.

Peoples, who won All-America honors 11 times while running for Moravian College, agreed with Mercer, “The guys went out so fast at the start, I soon found myself running alone. I don’t like that. I didn’t really have anyone to pace myself with until we got on the trail (7-1/4 — 11 miles into the race). But I’m excited about winning my third time here. And I’m grateful that I’m able to run so well.”

How Wilkes-Barre area runners fared

Forty Fort’s Jeff Skwierz, 33, finished second in the 30-34 age group, clocking in at 1:11:26.

Robert Moulton, 23, of Mountain Top, who finished fourth last year, finished third in the 19-23 age group in 1:14:01.

Mike Coco, 53, of Exeter, finished third in the 50-54 age group, with a 1:30:16 time.

Michelle Golden, 23, of West Pittston and Kristin Buchholz, 30, of Mountain Top, won the 19-23 and 30-34 age groups, respectively. Deana Manzoni, 47, of Dallas and Joyce Foster, 61, of Dallas, scored second-place wins in the 45-49 and 60-64 age groups respectively.

Times Leader Assistant News Editor, Joe Soprano, continued his training for this year’s Wilkes-Barre Triathlon (swim, bike, run) with a 2:20 finish in the Scranton Half. Last year, Soprano reached his goal, finishing the sprint version of the triathlon. This year, Soprano has his sights set on the tougher Olympic distance.

3rd annual Scranton Half Marathon results

Top 5 male finishers

1. Suleman Shifa, 22, New York City, 1:05:31, $1,000

2. Thomas Porter, 25, New Haven, Conn., 1:09:31, $750

3. Kevin Borrelli, 33, Dickson City, 1:09:38, $500

4. Rob Ahrens, 28, Clarks Summit, 1:09:42, $300

5. Dickson Mercer, 34, Washington D.C., 1:09:59, $100

Male award winners: Overall: Shifa. Masters winner: Paul Leonard, 53, Scranton. First Scranton resident to finish: Mike Azzatto (Leonard was actually the first Scranton resident to finish, but he won the top Masters prize) Age group winners: 18 & under: 1 Devin Smith, Carbondale, 1:27:20; 2. Tim Hanlon, Pittsburgh, 1:28:51; 3. Dan Gavin, Scranton, 1:35:22. 19-23: 1. Eric Lipuma, Midland Park, N.J., 1:11:43; 2. Justin Clarke, Factoryville, 1:11:58; 3. Robert Moulton, Mountain Top, 1:14:01. 24-29: 1. Chris McCabe, Lancaster, 1:12:49; 2 Shawn D’Andrea, Philadelphia, 1:14:42; 3. Dan Krystek. W. Harrison, N.Y., 1:16:31. 30-34: 1. Bryan Morseman, Bath, N.Y., 1:10:20. 2. Jeff Skwierz, Forty Fort, 1:11:26; 3. Fran Spear, Factoryville, 1:16:10. 35-39: 1. Stephen McGrath, Hawley, 1:24:32; 2. Markus Anttila, Clarks Summit, 1:27:55; 3. Pat Leonard, New York City, 1:29:17. 40-44: 1. Bill Uher, Odenton, Md., 1:23:58; 2. Brian Davidson, Mountain Top, 1:28:09; 3. R.J. Stiltenpole, Scranton, 1:28:26. 45-49: 1. Kirt Joseph, Tobyhanna, 1:20:28; 2. Ken Quigley, Dunmore, 1:22:04; 3. John Evangelista, Blakely, 1:23:48. 50-54: 1. Mike Brown, Milford, 1:27:08; 2. Peter Davenport, Lake Ariel, 1:29:33; 3. Mike Coco, Exeter, 1:30:20. 55-59: 1. Brian Coniff, Moscow, 1:26:38; 2. Dan Dietz, Marietta, Ga., 1:30:01; 3. Frank Rainey, Scranton, 1:35:40. 60-64: 1. William Cook, Scranton, 1:31:40; 2. Vince Grattolino, Roaring Brook Twp., 1:49:58; 3. E.J. Burns, Millerstown, 1:50:08. 65-69: 1. Paul Szymonsky, Scranton, 1:42:50; 2. Dennis Holmes, Throop, 1:44:27; 3. Roger Ericson, Tafton, 1:50:13. 70 & over: 1. Len Sowinski, Scott Twp., 1:49:36; 2. Robert Cays, Stroudsburg, 2:22:05.

Top 5 females

1. Heidi Peoples, 36, Scranton, 1:18:50, $1,000

2. Sam Snead, 27, Moscow, 1:25:22, $750

3. Karen Auteri, 34, Hackettstown, N.J., 1:26:12, $500

4. Larissa Hoffmann, 22, Sussex, N.J., 1:31:15, $300

5. Sarah Limbach, 31, Philadelphia, 1:31:56, $100

Female award winners: Overall: Peoples. Masters winner: Kris Danilovitz, 42, Moosic, 11:37:12. First Sranton resident to finish: Lindsay Barrett. Age group winners: 18 & under: 1. Jen Korty, Forest City, 1:36:44; 2. Abby Haddock, Roaring Brook Twp., 1:37:07; 3. Olivia Greer, Nanticoke, 1:42:32. 19-23: 1. Michelle Goldden, W. Pittston, 1:32:19; 2. Alexandra Conniff, Moscow, 1:33:44; 3. Sue Haines, Moscow, 1:33:56. 24-29: 1. Lizzy Doherty, New York City, 1:35:25; 2. Ashley Shamus, Cllarks Summit, 1:36:00; 3 Jes McCayley, Gouldsboro, 1:36:34. 30-34: 1. Kristin Buchholz, Mountain Top, 1:40:02; 2. Ashlet Stumpp, Northamton, 1:40:30; 3. Judy Riff, S. Abington, 1:40:42. 35-39: 1. Kristan Homung, Lancaster, N.Y., 1:33:18; 2. Lindsay Barrrett, Scranton, 1:34:17; 3. Lily Ye, Atlanta, Ga., 1:36:56. 40-44: 1. Kim Segiel, Covington Twp., 1:37:40; 2. Cathy Dragwa, Mayfield, 1:37:45; 3. Debbie Putman, Lake Ariel, 1:40:32. 45-49: 1. Pat Savage, Factoryville, 1:43:00; 2. Deana Manzoni, Dallas, 1:43:27; 3. Mary Leonard, New York City, 1:43:55. 50-54: 1. Maryann Lawrenson, Thomppson, 1:40:41; 2. Irene Cobb, Nicholson, 1:42:49; 3. Ronda Walker, Dublin, Ga., 11:47:24. 55-59: 1. Sharon Callahan, Tarrytown, N.Y., 1:42:52; 2. Donna Doherty, Scrantton, 1:56:32; 3 Ruth Wood, Jefferson Twp., 1:58:46. 60-64: 1. Nancy Werthmuller,, Scott Twp., 1:53:58; 2. Joyce Foster, Dallas, 1:56:20; 3. Debbie Alunni, Jessup, 2:04:57. 65-69: 1. Mary Anne Boyer, Pocono Lake, 2:08:41

Field: 3,000 runners from 28 states and three countries. Official starter: Mary Wilding, mother of fallen Scranton Police officer, John Wilding. Results: Scranton Running Company. Race director: Matt Byrne.

Schedule:

Sunday: 5th annual Max Fine 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk at 10:30 a.m. at Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley, S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Info: Mike Fine, 570-954-0125.

Reach Times Leader sports at 570-829-7143 or on Twitter @tlsports.