SCRANTON — An estimated 4,500 runners and walkers participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K Run/Walk on a perfectly beautiful morning yesterday.

The event raises money to fight breast cancer.

In fact, it was the fight against breast cancer that prompted Samantha Snead to come out from her long layoff from running and compete. And the 26-year-old from Moscow won top female honors finishing the race in 18 minutes and 55 seconds.

“It’s been a while since I raced,” said Snead, who was a standout runner at North Pocono High School and Penn State Worthington. “I took some time off from racing. This is my first race this summer. But my mother is a cancer survivor. So I figured, why not come back at this race.”

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Snead, who had scored a few wins in Wilkes-Barre area races over the years, actually won yesterday’s race in wire-to-wire fashion.

“It was kind of a surprise to me that I was able to hold onto the lead from start to finish, given I hadn’t raced in quite a while,” she said. “But I did it!”

Mollie Conrad, 10, of Clarks Summit, finished second among the females in 19:20.

Kristin Patchell-Pellis, 34, of Waverly Twp. — the wife of second-place finisher among the men, Jeff Pellis — finished third, 18 seconds behind Conrad.

Jack Krieger, a 20-year-old from Greenfield Township, won overall honors, breaking the tape in 17:33. He had to hold off second-place finisher, Jeff Pellis, 39, of Waverly Township, who finished 11 seconds behind. Scranton’s Colin Kelly, 16, finished third, just two seconds behind Pellis.

Money raised from the 25th annual Scranton Race for the Cure goes towards education, screening and treatment grants to non-profit organizations throughout 16 counties of northeastern Pennsylvania. Seventy-five percent of the money raised from the event stays in northeastern Pennsylvania. The other 25 percent goes for breast cancer research.

Dolly Woody, who has been the Susan G. Komen Northeastern Pennsylvania Executive Director for all of the 25 races, said this year’s race, when the final count is in, will have raised about $200,000. Over the years, the race has raised 4.3 million dollars. A little more than 3.5 million of that has gone to local community grants.

“Those numbers will go up after today’s race,” Woody said.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K Run results

Top 3 male finishers

1. Jack Krieger, 20, Greenfield Twp., 17:33

2. Jeff Pellis, 39, Waverly Twp., 17:44

3. Colin Kelly, 16, Scranton, 17:46

Male age group winners: 13 & under: Connor Eberhart, Archbald, 23:55. 14-19: Colin Kelly, Scranton, 17:47. 20-29: Bryan Fauver, Moosic, 19:33. 30-39: Jeff Pellis, Waverly Twp., 17:44. Masters division: 40-49: Doug Powell, Moosic, 19:09. 50-59: Brian Conniff, Roaring Brook Twp., 18:48. 60 & over: Stanley Wood, Jefferson Twp., 23:54.

Top 3 female finishers

1. Samantha Snead, Moscow, 18:55

2. Mollie Conrad, 10, Clarks Summit, 19:20

3. Kristin Patchell-Pellis, 34,Waverly Twp., 20:38

Female age group winners: 13 & under: Molly Conrad, Clarks Summit, 19:20. 14-19: Marianne Gerrity, Throop, 24:23. 20-29: Alexandra Conniff, Roaring Brook Twp., 21:00. 30-39: Kristin Patchell-Pellis, Waverly Twp., 20:36. Masters division: 40-49: Melissa Delfino, Dunmore, 22:05. 50-59: Sue Wright, Harrisburg, 22:23. 60 & over: Barbara James, Easton, 30:50.

Top cancer survivor finishers

1. Linder Kent, 54, 23:51

2. Patti Ferriola, 52, 24:35

3. Jennifer Kincel, 35, 25:10

Official starter: Sharla McBride. Timing and results: Hermes Sports and. Events (www.hermescleveland.com). Race director: Shannon Roche. Executive director of Susan G. Komen Northeastern Pennsylvania: Dolly Woody.

Schedule

Sunday, Oct. 11: 20th annual Steamtown Marathon, starting at Forest City Regional High School at 8 a.m. and finishing at Courthouse Square, downtown Scranton. Info: Bill King, 570-963-7864.

Saturday, Oct. 17: Back Mountain Catholic Youth 5K Run/Walk at Gate of Heaven Church, Machell Ave., Dallas, at 9 a.m. Info: Dan Ghezzi, 570-417-8981.

Sunday, Oct. 25: Wyoming Valley Striders’ 28th annual Fall (5.5 mile) Trail Run, an age group handicap race, at the pavilion, near the boat launch area, of Frances Slocum State Park, Kingston Twp., at noon. Info: Vince Wojnar, 570-474-5363.

Sunday, Nov. 1: Benjamin August Memorial 3 Mile Run/Walk at the Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley, S. River St., Wilkes-Barre, at 10:30 a.m. Info: Bill Buzza, 570-208-0264, ext. 232.

By Robert Miner

For Times Leader

Reach Times Leader sports at 570-829-7143 or on Twitter @tlsports.