ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Most observers thought Saturday morning’s 19th annual Samuel A. Mumley 5K run would be a two-man race, and they were right.

St. Clairsville’s Kyle Timko defended his title when he passed good friend Cedric Robinson, of Martins Ferry, with about a mile to go and never looked back. The 27-year-old broke the tape in 16-minutes, 41-seconds. Robinson was next, clocking in 6.8 ticks later.

“Today was all about winning and defending my championship,” Timko admitted. “I just ran Wednesday in a 5K in Scio, so my time could’ve been better.”

Timko, who also came from behind to defeat Robinson in the Barton 5K earlier this summer, took the lead for good as the two passed approached the hill behind St. Mary’s Church.

“I figured if I want to win this race I had better be ahead of him at the top of this hill,” Timko recalled of his strategy. “I made my move and was able to hang on at the end.”

The 26-year-old Robinson, who captured back-to-back races two weeks ago at the Betty Zane Days 5K in Martins Ferry and the Green Mile in Wheeling, had no excuses despite working until 6:30 a.m.

“I worked 16 hours at my job and called Carl Kondrach when I got off,” Robinson said. “I asked him if there were any races today and he told me the Sam Mumley was at 8. I changed clothes, came up here and ran. I’m tired.”

Wheeling’s Quintin Thomas, 16, finished a distant third in 18:15. St. Clairsville 18-year-olds Zachary Banks and Kevin Klinkoski were fourth and fifth, respectively, in 18:21.5 and 18:29.6.

Wheeling Central cross country coach Kelley Mortakis was the first female runner to cross the finish line. The 26-year-old timed out at 20:19.2, which was good enough for 12th overall.

“I haven’t been racing, honestly,” Mortakis, who also prevailed in 2015, admitted. “My time could’ve been better, but not racing for awhile … I’m happy with it.”

Bridgeport’s Felicity Smith, 26, was second in 20:57.5 and 56-year-old Tina Seech, of Upper St. Clair, Pa., third in 21:19.3.

Timko and Shaina Thornton were presented with the Mayor’s Trophy for being the first male and female finishers from St. Clairsville.

Barnesville’s Carl Kondrach and Bethesda’s Sarah Donley continued to dominate the walking portion of the race as both won for the third time.

Donley, who checked in at 33:32.3, won for the third consecutive year.

St. Clairsville’s Rena Koontz was second in 35:28.7, while Shirley Bonnette, also from St. C., was third in 35:41.9.

Kondrach, who didn’t participate in 2016, walked away from the field. The 45-year-old finished in 27:52, which was faster than 53 of the 5K runners.

St. Clairsville’s Michael Jones was the second male walker in 32:32.9, while Jared Sloan, also from St. C., was third in 35:29.1.

Koontz and Jones received the Mayor’s Trophies.