Firecracker 5K 2026 Winners and Highlights

2026 Firecracker 5K Results

On July 4th, more than 200 runners and walkers assembled at Samuel Meredith Park in Pleasant Mount under temperatures nudging 80 °F by 7:30 a.m. The 14th annual Firecracker 5K, hosted by Boy Scout Troop 407, benefits local scouting and attracted participants from as far away as Florida and New Mexico. Organizer Ellen Rosenfeld praised the turnout, saying it could be the biggest race yet.

Kyle Curtis of Bethany captured the overall title in 19:06, while Tiffany Leventhal of Honesdale dominated the women’s field with a 21:07 finish. Both are teachers at Preston School, adding local flavor to the competition. Curtis maintained a 6:09‑minute pace, and Leventhal thanked Kaitlyn Kloss, who paced her for the first two miles before she pulled ahead.

Local Legends Dominate

The men’s top 10 included:

• Landon Buselli – 19:46
• Jack Dippilito – 20:21
• Joey Cardascia – 20:46
• Blake German – 21:09
• Jack Lilburn – 21:11
• Bryan Smith – 21:25
• Stephen Glynn – 21:44
• S. Buselli – 21:59
• R. Lesjack – 22:56

Leventhal later declared, “Great course and great people! That’s why I keep coming back every summer.” She also highlighted the support of Kaitlyn Kloss, noting Kloss’s pacing helped her secure a personal best.

Women’s top 10 finishers were:

• Tiffany Leventhal – 21:07
• Kaitlyn Kloss – 21:29
• Joy Montgomery – 23:45
• Heather Keller – 24:24
• Leah Lemon – 24:21
• Susan Branco – 24:59
• Jen Tamblyn – 25:26
• Brittany Kratz – 25:46
• I. Buselli – 25:57
• Martha Curtis – 26:22

The scenic 3.1‑mile loop starts and finishes at Samuel Meredith Park, heading north on Great Bend Turnpike before turning around at the halfway point. The course is praised for its challenging elevation changes and community atmosphere.

Rosenfeld closed the day by thanking sponsors and volunteers, saying, “We’re very grateful for all the support we receive from the community each year. We absolutely couldn’t do this without our sponsors and volunteers.”

Summer Running Calendar Ahead

The next major race is the Dr. Williams Perkins Memorial on July 11 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Dyberry Township. In addition to a 5K, the event offers a mile run and a quarter‑mile fun run for kids, all starting at 8:30 a.m.

August brings the 2026 Wayne County YMCA 5K, slated for Saturday, August 22 at the Daniel J. O’Neill Sports Complex on the Honesdale High School campus.

October caps the season with the Hawley Public Library “Run to Read 5K” on Saturday, October 7 at Bingham Park in Hawley.