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SCRANTON — Matt Murray and Josey Rupert scored victories in the 27th annual Race for the Cure on Saturday, a 5K race that featured nearly 600 runners. There was also a Walk that featured over 3,000 participants.

Murray, 20, of Dunmore, broke the tape in 16 minutes and 52 seconds. Murray outran second-place finisher, Barry Snyder, 34, of Ashley, by 41 seconds. John Frazier, 36, finished third in 18 minutes flat.

“I was a little sore at the beginning,” said Murray, who ran for Dunmore High School and now runs cross country as a sophomore at Penn State Worthington. “After the first mile, I felt good and picked it up a bit. I tried to maintain a 5:30-pace (per mile) the rest of the way. Then I cruised to the finish.”

Rupert, 24, of Shickshinny, won top female honors, finishing in 19:46. Ironically, Rupert’s margin of victory was by the same as Murray’s — 41 seconds over 29-year-old Gina Manbeck. Lisa Steffes, 45, of Hazleton, finished third in 20:36.

Rupert wasn’t sure just how well she would do because she hadn’t raced in six months.

“I’m just getting back into it,” said Rupert, who ran for Northwest Area High School and ran cross country at Eastern University (near Philadelphia). “I went out a little too fast trying to stay with the boys. Then there were a few hills over the second and third miles that I wasn’t expecting. So I slowed down a bit. After the hills, I picked it up and kicked it in over the last 800 meters.”

Rupert is a past winner of the Old Fort 5 Miler Memorial Day race in Forty Fort.

Money raised from the 27th Race for the Cure 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.

Over 500 runners and over 3,000 walkers preregistered for the race. When the final count is in — adding those who registered just before the race — the event will have raised approximately between $100,000 and $150,000.

“In our history we will have awarded about 3.7 million dollars to local organizations,” said Dolly Woody, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Seventy-five percent of the money raised from the Komen races stays in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The other 25 percent goes for breast cancer research.

27th annual Susan G. Komen Northeastern Pennsylvania Race for the Cure 5K run results

Top 3 male finishers

Matt Murray, 20, Dunmore, 16:52

Barry Snyder, 34, Ashley, 17:33

John Frazier, 36, na, 18:00

Male award winners: Overall: Murray. Age group winners: 13 & under: Aidan DeLucy, 21:10; Justin Gockley, 23:57; Josh Fanelli, 26:15. 14-19: Brian Kilner, 18:07; Kyle Mlodzienski, 20:12. 20-29: Kevin Fowler, 18:38; John Hickey, 22:37; Codi Januszkiewicz, 24:12. 30-39: Barry Snyder, 17:33; John Frazier, 18:00; Tim Nowakowski, 18:25. Masters division: 40-49: Eric Pochas, 18:53; William Uher, 19:08; Bob Muscovitch, 19:38. 50-59: Lou Mucciolo, 21:26; Fred Malloy, 21:54; Don Shearer, 22:09. 60 & over: James Boettger, 25:40; Harold Barnes, 26:08; Tim Doherty, 26:50.

Top 3 female finishers

Joey Rupert, 24, Shickshinny, 19:46

Gina Manbeck, 29, na, 20:27

Lisa Steffes, 45, Hazleton, 20:36

Female award winners: Overall: Rupert. Age group winners: 13 & under: Ellie Saunders, 24:50; Chelsea Huegel, 24:58; Heidi Hughes, 25:59. 14-19: Madolyn Emick, 23:46; Alicia Kasson, 24:33; Carlee MacPherson, 24:52. 20-29: Gina Manbeck, 20:27; Molly MacDonald, 21:01; Jessica Esposito, 22:33. 30-39: Holly Scacchitti, 23:36; Nicole McGuigan, 24:19; Lori Maloney, 24:43. Masters division: 40-49: Lisa Steffes, 20:36; Heather Dewees, 22:27; Melissa Boettger, 24:58. 50-59: Lindee Kent, 23:46; Sandra Orrson, 26:30; Deana Sesso, 27:19. 60 & Over: Carmella DiPippa, 29:41; Angela Buckley, 30:07; Barbara James, 32:09.

Field: 586 (run), over 3,000 (walk). Race chair: Jill Eidenberg. Race director, timing and results: Management team from Scranton Running Compay. Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Northeastern Pennsylvania: Dolly Woody.

Schedule

Sunday, Oct. 8: 22nd annual Steamtown Marathon, starting at Forest City Regional High School at 8a.m. and finishing at Courthouse Square, Scranton. Info: 570-969-6072.

Sunday, Oct. 15: A Moment of Magic, Princess and Superhero 5K Run and Fun Walk at Riverside Cafe, 188 Old River Road, Wilkes-Barre at 9a.m. Info: Kylee McGrane, [email protected]

Sunday, Oct. 9: Wyoming Valley Striders 30th annual Fall Trail (5.5 mile) Run at the pavilion, near the boat launch area of Frances Slocum State Park, Kingston Twp. at noon. Info: Linda Wojnar, 570-262-0603 or Don Grose, 570-239-5792.

Top female finisher Josey Rupert, 24, of Shichshinny, breaks the tape at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Scranton on Saturday morning.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_TTL091717RaceForTheCure_3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTop female finisher Josey Rupert, 24, of Shichshinny, breaks the tape at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Scranton on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Top male finisher Matt Murray, 20, of Dunmore, has Adams Avenue all to himself as he heads toward the finish line at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Scranton on Saturday morning.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_TTL091717RaceForTheCure_2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTop male finisher Matt Murray, 20, of Dunmore, has Adams Avenue all to himself as he heads toward the finish line at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Scranton on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Runners and walkers take off to start the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton on Saturday morning.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_TTL091717RaceForTheCure_1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgRunners and walkers take off to start the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Robert Miner

For Times Leader