DYBERRY TWP. — Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities descended on the Wayne County Fairgrounds this past weekend for one of the area's most popular events.
Despite sizzling heat and oppressive humidity, turnout for the 2024 Dr. William Perkins Memorial Race exceeded expectations with more than 150 registered participants.
The 38th annual event took place Saturday morning on the banks of the Dyberry. A flat and fast 5K open to all comers, the Perkins Race is organized each year by Honesdale varsity cross country coach Lindsey Pender.
“I couldn't be happier with how everything went,” she said. “Attendance has been down the past few years ever since the pandemic, but we really bounced back nicely this year. It's great to see.”
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Next up on the summer race schedule is the Habitat for Humanity 5K Run/Walk. This year's “Run for the Roses” is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on August 24 at the Daniel J. O'Neill Sports Complex in Honesdale.
Registration is open online at runsignup.com.
Overall champion
Tim Nowakowski is veteran distance runner with a great deal of experience under his belt.
A 2005 graduate of Lackawanna Trail who then went on to attend Keystone College, Nowakowski competed in both cross country and track.
On Saturday morning, Nowakowski rocketed off the starting line and then cruised to the overall title. His winning time was 17:18, nearly a minute faster than his closest competitor Edgar Silva (18:04).
“I was pleasantly surprised with how I did,” Nowakowski said. “That's one of my best times in the past couple of years."
Nowakowski ran his first Steamtown Marathon last year. Next up on his agenda this summer is a 5K at Lake Carey, followed by a race in Tunkhannock.
“Honesdale is a beautiful town,” he said. “The course is mostly flat, but that last hill really sneaks up on you a little bit. All in all, this was a fun race and very well organized. I'll definitely be back again.”
Victorious homecoming
Summer Hill is one of the most decorated distance runners in area history.
A 2013 graduate of Honesdale High School, Hill dominated both track and cross country. She set numerous Hornet records while also making multiple trips to the PIAA State Championships. She went on to earn All-American status at California University of Pennsylvania.
Hill returned to Wayne County this weekend for the Perkins 5K and quickly reminded onlookers why Pender always refers to her as a legend. Hill broke hard off the starting line, then proceeded to shadow Nowakowski and Silva throughout the race.
In the end, Hill finished third overall and first among women with a blistering time of 18:05. Runner-up honors went to Katie Kilker, a 12-year-old rising star at Honesdale, who stopped the clock at 20:48.
“I'm pretty happy with my time overall,” Hill said. “I was shooting for 18 minutes flat, so I was close. You have to give yourself a little bit of grace with all this heat.”
With the Perkins Race in her rearview mirror, Hill is focused on a pair of 1-mile competitions. The first is set for Cleveland, followed by another in New Jersey.
“I'm pleased with where I'm at right now,” Hill said. “Honestly, I'm just really kind of shooting for specific individual times … racing against myself more than anything else.”
By the numbers
A total of 160 runners and walkers to part in this year's Perkins Race.
Top 10 finishers for the men were: Tim Nowakowski (17:18), Edgar Silva (18:04), Anders Owen (18:46), Paul Ottora (19:30), David McCabe (19:52), Casey McQueen (19:57), Tyler Garing (20:12), Alex Woodford (20:28), David Bueno (20:44).
Top 10 finishers among the women were: Summer Hill (18:05), Katie Kilker (20:48), Laura Montenegro (21:05), Abby Kilker (21:20), Layla Omar-Davies (21:51), Spencer Hantman (22:34), Megan Kretschmer (22:40), Olivia Pinto (23:43), Aviana Spry (23:53).
Pender said she's indebted to the volunteers who work tirelessly over the course of six months to make the Perkins 5K a success. She also thanked the local sponsors who step up each summer to show their support.
“Our sponsors are amazing,” Pender said. “From the hospital to the Commissioners to all the local businesses, it means so much to have them continue supporting us every year.”
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