SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — And with an airhorn, they were off. Around 2500 runners, a post pandemic peak, put their sneakers to the streets during the 13th annual Scranton Half Marathon. Partnering with Geisinger and the Scranton Memorial Stadium, racers of all ages set off on the 13.1-mile trek at eight in the morning. Some live next door, others came from 25 different states.
“There’s something about it,” said race director Matthew Byrne. “The energy here is great. Coming out of the winter, maybe every year they’re looking for something to do, especially this winter. But the camaraderie, the community, the togetherness, there’s something about this race. I don’t know what it is but, yeah, they travel and we’re very honored and humbled to see them come from far away.”
Because the Elm Street Bridge is closed, the route looked different this year. To accommodate, the city closed off an extra three miles to make up for the lost track. Racers ran up and down, winding through more city streets, instead of the Lackawanna Heritage Trail. Among long time runners, reactions, were mixed.
“It’s a little different because they changed the course, there’s a little bit more hills this time,” said five-time racer Mike Lopatofsky. “I kind of liked it but I kind of miss the out and back.”
13 miles is a lot of running in a short time, but first-time racer and Scranton native Hayden D’Angelo, said the real challenge wasn’t physical, but mental.
“Halfway through, you’re kind of like, you’re feeling it, for sure, but with all the people around and like, cheering you on, it just like you’re just one step after the other and you keep going,” said D’Angelo, right after crossing the finish line. “And then as it goes on, you just kind of get into like a mode, and you just go and you just feel good. And I had a great day. It was awesome.”
The excitement and joy among the racers and watchers was palpable in the stadium, on the streets, or during the race.
The Scranton Half Marathon is a test of endurance and will power, but it’s also a time to come together as a community, to celebrate the city and the amazing people that run in it.