FORTY FORT — Jeff Skwierz led a field of 481 runners and ran to his second straight victory in the Old Fort 5 Miler on Memorial Day. And Marina Orrson won her third straight female division title.

Skwierz, 33, a Forty Fort resident, broke the tape in 26 minutes and 13 seconds. The former standout runner from Lock Haven University outran second-place finisher, Steve Esposito, 26, of Chenango, N.Y., by 46 seconds. Mikael Hause, 22, of Kulpmont, pulled in third in 27:10

“It’s great that I won this race again,” Skwierz said. ” I went into the race hoping to break 26 (minutes). So I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t”t reach that goal. But I’m still excited about the win.”

The heat and humidity probably had something to say about the runners’ disappointing times. But Skwierz didn’t want to use the weather as an excuse.

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“I’ve been training in the heat. So I knew what I was in for,” he said.

Orrson won top female honors, finishing sixth overall in 29:27.

Like Skwierz, Orrson, 25, of Shavertown, didn’t reach her goal – finishing under 29 minutes.

“I’ve run just over 29 over the last two years,” said Orrson, who was a standout runner for Misericordia University. “I think the weather got to me today. But I’ll be back again next year to try to break 29 again.”

Orrson did break 29 minutes in 2014 at Cape May, New Jersey, clocking in at 28:44 for her personal best in a 5 miler.

Second-place finisher, Esposito, ran track and cross country for Kutztown University.

Third-place finisher, Hause, is a recent grad from Misericordia University where he ran track and cross country. He was a runner-up in both the indoor 5K and 3K runs in this year’s MAC Championships. Hause holds school records at Misericordia in the 1,500 meter, 5K and 3K events.

Times Leader assistant news editor, Joe Soprano, continued his training for this year’s Wilkes-Barre Triathlon (swim, bike, run) with a personal best time of 44:45.

Soprano, who is an avid biker, has been training hard on running and swimming. He finished the Sprint version of the triathlon last year. This year his goal is to finish the tougher Olympic distance.

A family affair

Dr. Fred Lombardo, a Kingston podiatrist, his wife, Lynn, and their three boys, Charlie, 15, Carmen, 14 and Angelo, 12, all competed in Monday’s race. Angelo beat his father for the second straight year.

“Last year, I thought maybe it was a fluke,” the doctor said. “But now, I believe I’m just going to have to swallow it.”

Forty Fort Lions 36th annual Old Fort 5 Miler results

Top 5 finishers

Jeff Skwierz, 33, Forty Fort, 26:13

Steve Esposito, 26, Chenango Bridge, N.Y., Esposito 26:59

Mikael Hause, 22, Kulpmont, 27:10

Chris Wadas, 34, Courtdale, 27:13

Mickey Moorhead, 22, Wilkes-Barre, 28:48

Male award winners: Overall (Bernie Hargadon Memorial): Skwierz. First Forty Fort resident to finish (Ed Kupstas Memorial): Anthony Powell, 24, 36:25. Age group winners: 12 & under: 1. Chris Hine, 35:11; 2. Angelo Lombardo, 37:54; 3. Kyle Chesman. 13-15: 1. Collin Miller, 40:35; 2. Nick Miriani, 40:35; 3. Eric Balchun, 42:19. 16-19: 1. Jack Zaidecki, 34:53; 2. James Kosik, 35:39; 3. Gino Alunni, 36:03. 20-24: 1. Mikael Hause, 27:10; 2. Mickey Moorhead, 28:48; 3. Bernard Gavlick, 34:19. 25-29: 1. Steve Esposito, 26:59; 2. Kyle Suponcic, 30:01; 3. Kevin Curry, 35:28. 30-34: 1. Chris Wadas, 27:13; 2. Bob Yonick, 29:51; 3. Nick Wadas, 30:47. 35-39: 1. Mike Adamchick, 31:31; 2. Tim Craven, 32:16; 3. Markus Antilia, 33:15. Masters division: 40-44: 1. Paul O’Hora, 31:56; 2. Varga Laszio, 35:10; 3. C.J. Jersey, 36:27. 45-49: 1. Ken Quigley, 31:15; 2. Sean Robbins, 32:05; 3. Dan Rosa, 43:50. 50-54: 1. Paul Leonard, 29:31; 2. Lee Toussaint, 30:50; 3. Nick Volpeth, 35:12. 55-59: 1. Kevin Southard, 34:43; 2. Don Lavin, 35:34; 3. Mike Kinney, 36:21. 60-64: 1. Bill Cook, 33:55; 2. Fran Mirabelle, 40:58; 3. Rich Novack, 41:50. 65 & 0ver: 1. Len Sowinski, 41:07; 2. Charles Montagna, 41:26; 3. Len Matysezak, 41:43.

Top 3 females

Marina Orrson, 25, Shavertown, 29:27

Jenn Swiderski-Yonick, 29, Camp Hill, 32:51

Kelsey Cameron, 25, Pringle, 33:47

Female award winners: Overall: Orrson. First Forty Fort resident to finish: Erin Moreck, 35, 31:21. Age group winners: 12 & under: 1. Emma Horsley, 42:23; 2. Chloe Chipago, 44:06; 3. Abby Singer, 52:28. 13-15: 1. Caitlyn Bly, 41:57; 2. Alexandria Wesneski, 45:30; 3. Andi Blaski, 47:08. 16-19: 1. Ally Rome, 34:54; 2. Anah Bozerntka, 38:06; 3. Paige Kupsky, 38:51. 20-24: 1. Alexandria Plant, 35:24; 2. Stephanie McCloe, 38:39; 3. Alex Gonda, 40:10. 25-29: 1. Jenn Swiderski-Yonick, 32:51; 2. Kelsey Cameron, 33:47; 3. Riley Marcks, 38:46. 30-34: 1. Casondra Hamilton, 34:41; 2. Victoria Blazick, 36:40; 3. Nikki Pekarski, 40:04. 35-39: 1. Erin Treaster, 36:52; 2. Jill Matthews, 38:35; 3. Na. Masters division: 40-44: 1. Erin Griffin, 36:51; 2. Melissa Obmann, 38:50; 3. Jackie Kearn, 40:47. 45-49: 1. Amy Rome, 34:54; 2. Ann Zoranski, 36:18; 3. Traci Strungis, 39:24. 50-54: 1. Wendy Fisk, 42:10; 2. Kimberly Shambora, 44:27; 3. Bethany Hoffman, 46:03. 55-59: 1. Kim Hirt, 49:15; 2. Jane Colwell, 50:36; 3. Barb Rupert, 54:28. 60 & over: 1. Joyce Foster, 43:39; 2. Debbie Alunni, 44:57; 3. Stephanie Walski, 51:46.

Field: 481. Starter: Brandon Golembiewski, incoming Forty Fort Lions president. Timing and results: Kirbyracetiming.com Race director: Bernie Popson

Schedule

Saturday, June 4: West Pittston Anthracite 4 Mile Run at West Pittston Borough Park, Exeter Ave., W. Pittston. Info: Don Sherrer, 570-357-9144.

Sunday, June 19: 13th annual Wilkes-Barre Duathlon (5k run, 16 mile bike, 5k run) at Wilkes-Barre Public Square at 7:30 a.m. Info: 570-208-9622 Wilkes-Barre YMCA.

Marina Orrson, 25, of Shavertown finishes first in the female division of the Old Fort 5 Miler with a time of
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL0503116Race1.jpg.optimal.jpgMarina Orrson, 25, of Shavertown finishes first in the female division of the Old Fort 5 Miler with a time of Aimee Dilger|Times Leader

Jeff Skwierz, 33, Forty Fort is the overall winner of the Old Fort 5 Miler on Monday with a time of 26:13.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL0503116Race2.jpg.optimal.jpgJeff Skwierz, 33, Forty Fort is the overall winner of the Old Fort 5 Miler on Monday with a time of 26:13. Aimee Dilger|Times Leader

The start of the Old Fort 5 miler on Monday in Forty Fort.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_TTL0503116Race3.jpg.optimal.jpgThe start of the Old Fort 5 miler on Monday in Forty Fort. Aimee Dilger|Times Leader

By Robert Miner

For Times Leader

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