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WEST PITTSTON — Chris McCabe ran to an easy wire-to-wire win in the West Pittston Anthracite 4-Mile Run on Saturday. McCabe, who also won last year’s 4-miler, crossed the finish line in 20 minutes, 37 seconds.
Paul Shaffer, 50, of West Pittston, finished a distant second, finishing in 25:10. Jim Jeddie, 51, of Hanover Township, finished third, a half-minute behind Shaffer.
“I actually ran a little faster last year,” said McCabe, 24, from Carlisle. “But my training time hasn’t been like it usually is because I had been nursing an injury.”
McCabe suffered a stress fracture in his tibia and was out of action for nearly three months — January, February and most of March.
“I’m still working my way back into shape,” said McCabe, who is originally from Wyoming. He ran track for Wyoming Area, competing in the 400 and the 800.
“I didn’t take running seriously then. I wish I had. I tried to run at a consistent 5:10 pace. I’m familiar with the course. And I knew that a 5:10 pace was manageable over this course.”
Like McCabe, Sara Radzwilka also scored an easy victory, winning top women’s honors with a sixth-place overall finish in 28 minutes flat.
Kerry Zawadski and Tami Thomas finished second and third. Zawadski finished second, 1:48 seconds behind Radzwilka. Thomas clocked in 11 seconds behind Zawadski.
“I went out hard, like I sometimes tend to do — too hard,” Radzwilka said. “But today I was able to hold my pace. And I really enjoyed it.”
NOTES
Zawadski started running 18 years ago. Thomas began running seven years ago. Both women lost 100 pounds over their first year of running.
Radzwilka ran cross country and track for St. Joseph’s University. After graduating from St Joe’s, she received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of the Sciences.
Both McCabe and Radzwilka plan on running in the Pittston Tomato Festival 5K in August.
42nd annual West Pittston Anthracite 4-Mile Run results
Top 10 finishers
Chris McCabe, 24, Carlisle, 20:37
Paul Shaffer, 50, W. Pittston, 25:10
Jim Jeddie, 51, Hanover Twp, 25:40
Bryan Fauver Jr., 33, Moosic, 25:48
Nick Volpetti, 54, Jenkins Twp., 27:40
Sara Radzwilka, 25, Exeter, 28:00
Don Lavin, 58, Scranton, 29:19
Paul Orzel, 50, W. Wyoming, 28:23
Chet Shearer, 56, Montoursville, 28:44
Don Shearer, 56, W. Pittston, 28:49
Male award winners: Overall: 1. McCabe, 2. Shaffer, 3. Jeddie. Age group winners: 14 & under: Jacob Marinock, Drums, 33:41. 15-19: None. 20-24: Sean Burbank, W. Pittston, 24:18. 25-29: None. 30-34: Bryan Fauver, Moosic, 25:48. 35-39: David Ruggles, W. Pittston, 32:46. Masters division: 40-44: Matt Gilden, W. Pittston, 30:30. 45-49: John Kearns, W. Pittston, 29:08. 50-54: Nick Volpetti, Jenkins Twp., 27:40. 55-59: Don Levin, Scranton, 28:19. 60-64: Robert Bugelhall, W. Pittston, 35:38. 65-69: None. 70 & over: Joe Dutko, Mountain Top, 34:22.
Top 3 female overall award winners
Sara Radzwilka, 25, Exeter, 28:00
Kerry Zawadski, 43, Luzerne, 29:48
Tami Thomas, 40, Ashley, 29:59
Age group winners: 14 & under: None. 15-19: Sarah Holwog, W. Pittston, 30:12. 20-24: None. 25-29: Kattie Kugler, Wyoming, 35:56. 30-34: Rebecca Ruggles, W. Pittston, 31:48. 35-39: Tracy Zalenski, Arlington, Va, 31:43. 40-44: Sherri Potrokouis, W. Pittston, 35:50. Traci Dutko- Strungis, Mountain Top, 32:59. 55-59: Carleigh Lavin, Scranton, 37:35. 60-64: Joyce Foster, Dallas, 34:37. 65-69: Bev Tomasak, Edwardsville, 30:27.
Field: 71. Lead vehicle: W. Pittston Police Dept. Official starter: Bob Calpin, PIAA official. Timing and results: Insta Results. Race director: Don Shearer.
Schedule
Thursday, July 4: Wilkes-Barre YMCA 3-Mile Run “Bernie’s Memorial” starting on River St., Wilkes-Barre at 8:30 a.m. and finishing at Public Square. Info: Lauranel Banks, 579-970-5012 or YMCA! 570-823-2820.
Saturday, July 6: Wyoming Valley Striders 2-Mile Run at Murphy’s Pub, Slocum St., Swoyersville at 9 a.m. Info: Chris Wadas, 570-592-2820.
Wednesday, July 24: Wyoming Valley Striders Valley’s Fastest Man/Woman Series (first of three 1-milers): Race No. 1. One Mile Run on the King’s College Track, across the street from Wegmans at 7 p.m. Info: Chris Wadas, 570-592-2820.
