SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Despite the rainy weather, thousands of people lined up in Scranton Sunday morning to tackle the 12th Annual Scranton Half Marathon.
What started as a cold, rainy day ended up being a perfect day for a run.
Nearly 2,000 people from 25 US States and six different countries laced up their running shoes and set off on the 13.1-mile route through the heart of the Electric City.
Runners 28/22 News spoke with say the course is a challenging one, but that didn't stop them from achieving some personal records.
"One of my big goals for today was to get the win. I think this makes me the first three-time champion for the event, so that was really a bucket list goal for me," said First Place Winner from Philadelphia, Dylan Gearinger.
"I beat my new record by about three minutes, so, very pleased with that this time around," said Jen Roman, a runner from Mountain Top.
The race began and ended at Veterans Memorial Stadium, giving runners a chance to finish strong on the track as crowds cheered from the bleachers.
One runner 28/22 News spoke with says the Scranton Half Marathon is his favorite running race out of any he takes part in.
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"Why is it your favorite?" 28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape asked.
"Crowd support. People, the organization, all the people who run the race. It's just the best," said Boalsburg runner John Sheehan.
Sheehan says running long distance is a mental game, and that support from the crowd can help runners go the extra mile.
"Just the kindness of a stranger who pushes you on, and even though you're having that battle with yourself, just getting yourself out of your own head and remembering 'Hey, there's people out there who care.'" Sheehan explained.
To one woman 28/22 News spoke with in the crowd, these words couldn't be truer.
"Family's everything. Friends are everything. And the world just needs people lifting other people up," Karen Bieri, a spectator from New Jersey, said.
While winning may not be everything, Gearinger said the following.
"It always feels good to win, you know?" Gearinger stated.
The top men's finisher, Dylan Gearinger of Philadelphia, won with a time of one hour, eight minutes, 32 seconds.
Rachel Schilkowsky of Providence, Rhode Island, had the top women's time of one hour, 14 minutes, 50 seconds.
The half-marathon after-party was held at Mutant Brewing in Scranton until 7:00 p.m.
