The 32nd annual “Kracherrennen” raises money for the fight against cancer

Scranton, Lackawanna County – The 32nd annual One Mile Firecracker Run and Walk Against Cancer began Sunday morning in Scranton.

We were told that over 50 runners and walkers took part in the annual event to honor a boxing coach who died of cancer 32 years ago.

The race is in honor of Paul “Hook” O'Malley, who died of cancer in 1992. Proceeds benefit the Lackawanna County chapter of the American Cancer Society.

“Hook” O'Malley was a popular boxing trainer known throughout Lackawanna County for his dedication to training boxers of all ages and skill levels.

“He liked to train anybody. You didn't necessarily have to come to the gym to train and become a fighter, he liked to train anybody. We had a 70-year-old guy in the gym who wanted to learn how to throw a left jab and he was in the gym,” said Patrick O'Malley, one of the event's organizers.

“Hook” was generally fit, not just in boxing, but also loved running. Patrick O'Malley, one of the event's organizers, says the annual race is the perfect way to honor his father's love of fitness.

First-place finisher Ryan Newcomb, a senior and cross-country runner at Scranton High, says participating in the race was a great opportunity to honor someone so beloved in the community and raise money to fight cancer.

“It means a lot to me. I hope he's up there watching everyone do what he loves and sees the money going to a good place,” Newcomb said.

Jayden Aquino, nicknamed “Thunder” for his fast boxing, won the overall boxer award at the race. Aquino says it was an honor to win the overall boxer award because boxing is his passion and teaches him to keep moving forward in life.

“Failure is never an option, you always have to win. Losing is never an option, you always have to get back up when you are down,” Aquino added.

Patrick O'Malley says having so many young athletes participate in a race honoring his father really shows how important his father was to the community.

“That's how he lived and that's how he was. And when he died at just 65, he left a legacy. This memorial is about who he was and what he meant to the community,” O'Malley added.

Race organizers are urging runners, walkers and boxers to mark the date in their calendars and register for next year's Fireworks Race, which will take place on August 17.