ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Nearly 2,000 runners took to the city’s streets Sunday, participating in the St. Luke’s Half Marathon and 5K races.
Carly Shea, 44, of Lewisburg, Pa., was crowned women’s winner of the half marathon – her fifth championship for this race.
Corey Mullins, 25, of Bethlehem led the men.
The race started near William Allen High School and was back for a second-straight year after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Runners crossed the finish line at J. Birney Crum Stadium.
Leaders of the women were:
- Carly Shea, 44, Lewisburg, Pa. 1:22:52
- Liz Wright, 31, State College, Pa., 1:23:19
- Katy Storti, 22, Cinnaminson, N.J. 1:23:25
- Lauren Cancelliere, 31, Nazareth 1:25:00
- Jodi Patterson, 21, Aliquippa, Pa. 1:27:17
Men’s top finishers were:
- Corey Mullins, 25, Bethlehem 1:11:01
- Daniel Christiansen, 28, Bally, Pa., 1:11:54
- David Plotkin, 33, Beverly, Mass. 1:15:41
- Garrett Campbell, 22, State College, Pa. 1:16:43
- Zack Mitarotonda, 20, Ashburn, Va. 1:17:00
Running enthusiast and race communications director Michael Drabenstott provided updates and a complete account of the race results. He reported Shea could barely run a mile six months ago, after having two surgeries on an artery in her hip flexor last summer.
"I’m very happy with how things went today and grateful that I’m racing again."Michael Drabenstott, running enthusiast and race organizer
“I had blood clots that cut down circulation in my left leg and I literally couldn’t run,” Shea told Drabenstott. “I’ve been building back since the most recent surgery in October. I’m very happy with how things went today and grateful that I’m racing again and that my leg is seemingly healthy. I don’t take it for granted.”
Mullins captured the men’s title in 1:10:53. He’s a graduate of Muhlenberg College and a videographer for race sponsor St. Luke’s University Health Network.
A total of 537 runners – the most since 2015 -- took part in the St. Luke’s 5K. John Mikovits of Danielsville won the men’s race in 17:08. Anabelle Broadbent of Perkasie finished first among the women in 21:20.
The St. Luke’s weekend racing also featured the St. Luke’s Youth Run on Saturday. More than 400 youngsters ages 4 to 13 participated along Little Lehigh Parkway.
Race weekend proceeds support community fitness and youth running efforts across the Lehigh Valley.
