More than 100 racers, joggers, and walkers braved the blistering sunshine and heat to compete in the Port Carbon Firecracker 5K Run/Walk on Saturday morning.
The 12th annual race has become a tradition to kick off Port Carbon’s Independence Day festivities. It was followed by the Baby Parade and will be capped off tonight with a fireworks display to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial.
Christopher Pietrak, 19, of Houston, defended his 2025 title by finishing in 17 minutes, 55 seconds. He comes to the area to visit family in Tamaqua for Independence Day.
Ashley Scahppe, 30, of Schuylkill Haven, was the top female finisher, crossing the Finish line at a time of 22 minutes, 36 seconds. Schappe won the Firecracker 5K back in 2022.
The Firecracker 5K takes off from John L. Miller Playground and winds its way through the streets of Port Carbon and into Palo Alto for a bit before ending up back at the playground.
Volunteers were placed along the course to offer bottles of water to runners as temperatures were already in the mid-80s at race time.
The overall winners are awarded new Oakley sunglasses and the top finishers in each age bracket get medals.
Port Carbon Firecracker 5K — July 4, 2026
Here’s a rundown of the top winners in each age bracket:
MALE Overall: 1. Christopher Pietrak, 17:55. 14-and-under: 1. Kaden Stencavage, 20:50; 2. Nolan Corby; 3. Declan Boyle. 15-19: 1. Wyatt Hulka, 18:14; 2. Rusty Hunter; 3. Quinnlon Tiemaglia. 20-29: 1. Alex Everly, 19:32; 2. Nathan Robison; 3. Jason Dean. 30-39: 1. Patrick Cleary, 20:42; 2. Nick Schafer; 3. Kevin Stock. 40-49: 1. Patrick Boyle, 23:12; 2. John Boyle; 3. Aaron Schimpf. 50-59: 1. Scott Schaediger, 29:50; 2. John Oswald; 3. Robert Kerns. 60-69: 1. Dale Schneck, 27:07; 2. David Holmes; 3. Steve Capozello. 70-79: 1. James Manzick, 27:17; 2. Ernest Houck; 3. Randy Mladenoff.
FEMALE Overall: 1. Ashley Schappe, 22:36. 14-and-under: 1. Peyton O’Brien, 25:32; 2. Emersyn Samay; 3. Grace Murphy. 15-19: 1. Gia Clemson, 25:44; 2. Eva Fisher; 3. Abigail Pietrak. 20-29: 1. Sydney Scarpato, 30:06; 2. Hannah Leibig; 3. Madison Sterner. 30-39: 1. Angela Kelly, 23:52; 2. Tiffany Fogarty; 3. Layne Beasley. 40-49: 1. Kelly Trabosh, 23:14; 2. Amanda Hascin; 3. Meghan Boyle. 50-59: 1. Barbara Lawson, 30:07; 2. Julia Smith; 3. Cynthia Lorish. 60-69: 1. Sandra Mease-Bergan, 26:15; 2. Karen Kuperavage; 3. Sandra Pacenta. 70-79: 1. Cathy Repp, 40:39.
Top photo: Port Carbon Mayor Jim McBreen hands a bottle of water to a parched racer during Saturday’s race. (Coal Region Canary photo)
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