With the original Saturday date rained out, the 2021 Halloween in Emmaus 5-K race, held in conjunction with the borough’s Halloween parade, took to the streets Oct. 17. Children and adults lining Chestnut and Main streets cheered on the nearly 300 runners in brisk autumn weather.

This is the 15th anniversary of the annual race. Held a half-hour before the parade kicked off from Ridge and Keystone streets, runners, many in Halloween costumes, gathered at the starting line at North Ninth and Chestnut streets. The finish line was drawn at the Emmaus Triangle.

Two course speed records were quickly broken. The new men’s course record holder is Jacob Martinez, 21, who came in first place overall at 15:17, beating the old record of 15:34 by Sean Stetler in 2016.

Eileen Cody, 29, shattered the old women’s course record with 17:34. Christie Wetzel set the previous record in 2019 with 18:04.

Following Martinez across the finish line were Whitehall resident Calvin Schneck, 24, in second place overall with 16:13, and John Mikovits, 36, from Danielsville, at third place overall with 17:26.

Prizes were awarded in several age groups for the 2021 race.

First-place winners include:

• Brycen Smith, 13, of Schnecksville, with 17:27 for male 1-14

• Abigail Rowland, 13, of Pennsburg, with 20:33 for female 1-14

• Hayden Schmidt, 16, of Emmaus, with 19:31 for male 15-19

• Elizabeth Samer, 15, of Allentown, with 24:18 for female 15-19

• Kory Rolek, 29, of Emmaus, with 18:36 for male 20-29

• Eileen Cody, 29, of Bethlehem, with 17:34 for female 20-29

• Brian Dalek, 35, of Emmaus, with 18:47 for male 30-39

• Jen Santos, 34, of Easton, with 24:25 for female 30-39

• Kenrick Smith, 41, of Schnecksville, with 17:58 for male 40-49

• Kristen Karwacki, 42, of Macungie, with 20:24 for female 40-49

• David Perry, 59, of Emmaus, with 19:48 for male 50-59

• Vivian Foulke, 55, of Allentown, with 28:01 for female 50-59

• John Myers, 63, of Zionsville, with 25:57 for male 60-99

• Donna McLaughlin, 65, of Walnutport, with 28:32 for female 60-99

Since it’s common practice to only offer one award per person, those placing first, second and third place overall are removed from the age group results. Awards were also presented for costume entries.

“The race has raised over $150,000 since we started 15 years ago,” 5-K organizer Wesley Barrett said. “Each year, some of that money goes to the parade to help support it.”

According to Barrett, donations also go to the Emmaus parks system, as well as other community organizations.