An Emmaus landscaper thwarted an Albrightsville man’s efforts from becoming a three-peat in the 53rd annual Switchback Scamper on Sunday.

Finnegan Harrington, 25, made his first attempt in the Switchback an attractive one, leading the race down the historic Switchback trail in Summit Hill from start to finish.

In second place was Samuel Shaffer of Albrightsville, 43, who was running for the fourth year. He won the race the past two years.

Harrington completed the 10k course in 46:22, nearly a minute ahead of Schaffer who had a time of 47:16.

In third place was 61-year-old Todd Smith of Jim Thorpe, who was clocked at 48:58.

The top female runner was Jordan Behrens, 30, of Jim Thorpe, who was also a first-time entry. She crossed under the blow-up finish arch in 51:47.

Race coordinator Kevin Cunningham said 30 runners and 12 walkers competed. The race is sponsored by St. John’s Lutheran Church, located in the Heights section of the town.

Although the turnout is less than races of years ago, Cunningham said, “We are very happy with the turnout. It’s consistent with the last several years.”

He said he is hoping it can be restored to the status it was a few decades ago. “We want to try to bring back the enthusiasm,” he said.

Weather might have been a reason that more runners didn’t compete, as a drizzle fell during most of the run.

Cunningham said the race used to be run on the third week in October, but was changed because of the annual Fall Foliage Festival in Jim Thorpe, which draws paralyzing crowds to the downtown area of Jim Thorpe.

Harrington, who owns a landscaping company, said he runs and rides bikes a lot. He also assists in a local 5K series of races.

Shaffer said he was hoping to win again, but is glad to see Finnegan participate. His first move at the conclusion was a congratulatory handshake to the winner.

Smith, one of several runners over age 60, said this was his first time in the Switchback race.

He said, “Obviously I run a fair amount.” He said he considered entry in years past, but was unable to fit it into his schedule. “This year the date worked out,” said Smith, who owns Smitty’s Hardware along Route 903.

Behrens said although this is her first time in the Switchback run, “I did the Race Street run.”

“I love doing local community events,” she said.

The first place walked was an older adult.

John Paul Krauchak of Philadelphia, 72, who owns property in Jim Thorpe, completed the 5k walk in 21:57.

Krauchak said he has competed in the Switchback at least four times, but a knee issue prevented more appearances.

“I lived in Jim Thorpe for a while and found out about the race,” he said. “I will race it every year now until I die.”

Despite his age, he still does roofing and exterior stucco work.

He said he prepared for this year’s Switchback by walking 5k’s last week, doing the trek in 37 minutes.

The race was dedicated to Rev. F. Peter Muhr. who served Lutheran parishes in Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua for many years before his passing in June.

The race began at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Summit Hill, continued through the town to the site of the historic Switchback Railroad, went the length of the Switchback through woodlands to Mauch Chunk Lake Park, and ended near a pavilion at the park.

Summit Hill fire police and borough police directed traffic in the town for the runners. Members of the church and a ranger from Mauch Chunk Lake Park had traffic control duties at the entrance to the park.

Church members Irene Remmel; her grandson, Benjamin Remmel; Jillian Haas and Wyatt McAnulty served water to the participants along the trail.

Jim Thorpe Junior High School students Abby Hess, Emmy Karnish and Cheyenne Louk assisted at the finish line.

Winners

Race results are as follows:

10k Run

Male overall: 1. Finnegan Harrington, 2. Sam Shaffer, 3. Todd Smith.

Female overall: 1. Jordan Behrens, 2. Anna Genre, 3. Andrea Kapa.

Males 18 and under: 1. Joshua Shaffer, 2. Colton Steigerwalt.

Males 25-29: 1. Mike Houd, 2. Nick Zenge, 3. Joe Stawiorski.

Males 30-24: 1. Zachary Malick.

Males 40-44: 1. Richard Taylor.

Males 45-49: 1. Neal Davis.

Males 50-59: 1. Julien Natisia, 2. Christopher Drem, 3. Thomad DeMarco.

Males 60-69: 1. Richard Owens.

Males 70 and older: 1. Tom Frantz.

Females 25-29: Claire Genre.

Females 35-39: 1. (tie) Justine Welch and Meghan Schmidt, 3. Amber Wirth.

Females 45-48: 1. Angela Harnish, 2. Lina Berndt.

5k Walkers

Males: 1. John Paul Krauchuk, 2. Brad Konstas, 3. Cayden Mimna.

Females: 1. Cara Frantz, 2. Kristin Meckes, 3. Bobbi Rhoades.