A Palmerton Area High School senior and a Lehighton Area High School graduate took the top overall prizes Thursday during the fifth annual Bo Tkach Foundation Turkey Trot in Palmerton.

The race began and ended in the Palmerton Park under cold yet sunny skies with 664 runners and walkers participating. The event got underway at 9 a.m. on Third Street and wound its way left down Franklin Avenue and turned north up to Columbia Avenue, where it headed all the way east, before heading back on Lafayette Avenue to the park.

Martinez, a Palmerton cross-country standout, crossed the finish line first at 18:16, 47 seconds, ahead of Ryan Smith of Schnecksville.

“It was pretty chilly, but really awesome to see all the people out here,” Martinez said. “It was a good effort. We’re looking forward to one more last race in the Palmerton cross-country season, and this was a good tune up for it. It was a great day to be here.”

For the females, Lehighton graduate Cera Gaston finished first with a time of 21:14, almost a full minute in front of 16-year-old Angelique Antonini.

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Gaston is now a sophomore on the Messiah College cross-country squad.

“It is always great seeing Lehighton and Palmerton runners come together,” Gaston said. “Runners from both schools really support each other out on the course. I just came off my two-week break from college training, so this was a nice kick back into the season.”

Proceeds from this race/walk benefit the Bo Tkach Foundation providing mental health counseling funding, scholarships and educational presentations on suicide prevention, OCD and depression.

“The Bo Tkach Foundation holds a special place in my heart,” Martinez said. “It has really done a lot for Palmerton and the community. It’s a great foundation. To see all the people come together for such a great cause and raise awareness, it’s incredible to see. I hope this continues for many years to come.”

Gaston said she also knows many people directly involved with the foundation and is thrilled to see the support this event gets each year.

Pretzel City Sports out of Reading was in charge of the timing. Full results can be checked out on its website at www.pretzelcitysports.com.

Results

Following are the award winners and age group top finishers:

Overall winner: Jake Martinez, 18:16.

Top Female winner: Cera Gaston, 21:14.

Male Divisions

13 and under: 1. Owen Hibell, 20:20; 2. Nick Zeigenfuss; 3. Levi Monk.

14-18: 1. Ryan Smith, 19:03; 2. Robert Leiser; 3. Anthony Maguschak.

19-29: 1. Ryan Spack 19:06; 2. John Iles; 3. Tyler Svetik.

30-39: 1. Patrick Matsinko, 19:46; 2. Michael Strohl; 3. William Zeky.

40-49: 1. Igor Voloshin, 21:01; 2. Daren German; 3. Joseph Chandler.

50-59: 1. Francis Hager, 20:27; 2. George Pekurny; 3. Paul Onuskanich.

60 and over: 1. Gary Dobias, 24:55; 2. Mike Hillegass; 3. Russ Bensinger.

Female Divisions

13 and under: 1. Cecelia Pyfer, 24:43; 2. Natalie Mosier; 3. Hadlee Lake.

14-18: 1. Angelique Antonini, 22:09; 2. Kelsey Gaston; 3. Emma Martinez.

19-29: 1. Lisa Lower, 23:11; 2. Erin Bucci; 3. Kyla Rodriguez.

30-39: 1. Johanna Tripler, 23:29; 2. Emily Lupcho; 3. Jacqueline Funk.

40-49: 1. Tammy Stamm, 23:39; 2. Sara Nansteel; 3. Melissa Karwacki.

50-59: 1. Corinna Heffelfinger, 25:50; 2. Lora Krum; 3. Laureen Beck.

60 and over: 1. Eileen Carr, 32:58.