SCRANTON, Pa. — Runners for the Scranton Half Marathon gathered around the track and under the bleachers of Veterans Memorial Stadium before taking on the big race.
Newswatch 16 asked them about the motivation that brought them there.
"I think it's like the midlife crisis, but a little earlier. Everybody in their late 30s has to run a half marathon to prove himself, you know," said Joe Merkel, Scranton.
"Honestly, I just got into running like eight months ago, and my friend and I just start training and running, and I saw this half marathon was coming up, so we just decided to kind of dive in and go full sand and just do it," said Lisa Piazza, Clarks Summit.
And the nerves, but that's all in the rearview mirror when the race begins.
"I'm nervous for finishing it. I guess I know I can do a distance. I've done it before but kind of a big crowd here. So it's intimidating," said Caity Balestrini, South Carolina.
The course leaves the stadium and weaves up and down the hills of the city's Green Ridge section before reaching downtown.
"The hills early in the course are definitely tough," said Dylan Gearinger, Old Forge.
Throughout the race, the course was lined with people rooting for the runners with bells, signs to lighten the mood, and cheers.
Runners of all ages were out on the course, cheering each other on through all 13.1 miles on the pavement that was bumpy in some spots, but the spirit made up for it as we left downtown and went into the city's South side.
The second half of the Scranton Half Marathon takes you up and down the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.
For much of this loop, you're passing other runners or musicians providing some music; then you finally get back to the stadium, go around the track, and cross the finish line.
The first to cross the finish line was Dylan Gearinger of Old Forge, who set a new course record by finishing in 1 hour and 4 minutes, and 29 seconds.
"Feels great. And then the best part was honestly getting to turn around and see my two athletes whom I coach and work out with every day get second and third," said Gearinger.
"It feels great. I mean, we're running 100 miles a week. We're working together every day. I mean, every workout together, pretty much every run together," said Brandon Fleschut and Mike McCann, Dallas.
For all those who participated in their first half marathon, they couldn't have asked for better weather in Lackawanna County.