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ALLENTOWN (April 23, 2023) – Six months ago, Carly Shea could barely run a mile, but today she was crowned five-time champion of the St. Luke’s Half Marathon. Shea joined first-time men’s champion Corey Mullins, Bethlehem, Pa., on the winner’s platform in the 38th running of the race on a beautiful spring morning in Allentown.
Shea, 44, Lewisburg, Pa., said she had not raced a half marathon since March 2022 and had only started racing again in January 2023 – and nothing longer than 5k — after having two surgeries on an artery in her hip flexor area in summer 2022. “I had blood clots that cut down circulation in my left leg and I literally couldn’t run,” she said. “I’ve been building back since the most recent surgery in October. I’m very happy with how things went today and grateful that I’m racing again and that my leg is seemingly healthy. I don’t take it for granted.”
Shea (1:22:45) won the 13.1-mile road race in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Her fifth title ties her with Kathleen Jobes as the most decorated female runner in the race’s history.
Mullins, 25, Bethlehem, Pa. captured the men’s title in 1:10:53. A videographer for St. Luke’s University Health Network, the presenting sponsor of the race, Mullins finished fourth in 2022 with a time of 1:14:37, his St. Luke’s Half Marathon debut. Mullins graduated from Muhlenberg College, which is only two blocks from the finish line in J. Birney Crum Stadium.
Mullins said he led from the start and enjoyed the support from spectators and other runners. “Once you make the turn (at about mile 4.5) on Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, runners going the other way are cheering and saying ‘Good job!’,” he said. “I’m aware to some extent that I’m a talent runner, but it’s people who pick up running and they’re not naturally gifted but they do it anyways, that’s super inspiring to me. I felt it spectating at the Boston Marathon last week and I feel it here, too. People are out to have fun and exercise – that’s why I love road races.”
The 2023 St. Luke’s Half Marathon and companion 5k saw nearly 2,200 entrants, about 10 percent more than 2022, first year back after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus. Plentiful sunshine and temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s greeted runners. Both races started near William Allen High School and ended at J. Birney Crum Stadium.
“We are honored to put on a race of this caliber with a beautiful course, over 10 live bands and a stadium finish to truly celebrate the spirit of running,” said Leslie Billowitch, race director and president of the Lehigh Valley Road Runners, which produces the fully volunteer-run event each April. “It’s inspiring to see people of all ages and sizes put their minds and bodies to the test – and to see the joy of accomplishment when they cross the finish line.”
Top 5 females
Carly Shea, 44, Lewisburg, Pa. 1:22:52
Liz Wright, 31, State College, Pa., 1:23:19
Katy Storti, 22, Cinnaminson, N.J. 1:23:25
Lauren Cancelliere, 31, Nazareth, Pa. 1:25:00
Jodi Patterson, 21, Aliquippa, Pa. 1:27:17
Top 5 males
Corey Mullins, 25, Bethlehem, Pa., 1:11:01
Daniel Christiansen, 28, Bally, Pa., 1:11:54
David Plotkin, 33, Beverly, Mass. 1:15:41
Garrett Campbell, 22, State College, Paa, 1:16:43
Zack Mitarotonda, 20, Ashburn, Va. 1:17:00
Complete half marathon awards: https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/results_xlezthm8wdph42dkpxutzpvar4ym.txt
Complete half marathon results:
https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/11383?customResultsPageId=61894
A total of 537 runners – the most since 2015 — took part in the St. Luke’s 5K. John Mikovits, Danielsville, Pa., won the men’s race in 17:08. Anabelle Broadbent, Perkasie, Pa., was the top female in 21:20
5k awards: https://d368g9lw5ileu7.cloudfront.net/races/results_lao2nt7blw5gbifsjsvjoeeenilq.txt
5k results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/11383?customResultsPageId=61856
The St. Luke’s race weekend also featured the St. Luke’s Youth Run on Saturday, April 22, in Allentown’s Little Lehigh Parkway which featured over 400 youngsters aged 4-13. Race proceeds support community fitness and youth running efforts in the Lehigh Valley.
One of the oldest half marathons in the country, the St. Luke’s Half Marathon had its origin in 1977 with a full marathon organized by the Lehigh Valley Athletic Association, a predecessor to the LVRR. It was switched to a half marathon in 1984 and has been run continuously every spring except for a canceled race in 1996 and COVID-19 cancelations in 2020 and 2021.
The half marathon course records are held by John Kagwe, 1:04:49 (March 26, 1995) and Anne Marie Lauck, 1:15:49 (March 15, 1998).
Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Drabenstott (for GEDP)
Drabenstott Communications Group
