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Silver Anniversary Thanksgiving Run Huntington, NY – Despite an overcast sky, almost two thousand people converged at the foot of Huntington Harbor to participate one way or another in the twenty-fifth renewal of the Townwide Fund’s annual Thanksgiving Day Races. It began with over forty volunteers taking up positions to register
runners, provide re-freshments, set up the course, place signs to
acknowledge the sponsors and so many other details that make such
an event a success. Shortly after Race Chair Bea Hartigan escorted the last toddler to the finish of the Fun Run, it was time for the record turnout for the featured Four Mile Run to start forming up for the start of their race. Over 1,100 would finish the scenic route that follows the west shore of Hunt-ington Harbor, rises to pass Coindre Hall Park and Southdown Primary School before turning back to retrace the same route. The Suffolk 2nd Precinct Police and Huntington Security Officers closed off the featured Four Mile course as the race was started by Tom Lederer of the Long Island Automotive Group. For the fourth year in a row, Land Rover Long Island was the main sponsor in support of the Race, not only providing financial support but turning out with many representatives to help out, includ-ing serving as the pace car. It took almost a full two minutes for the field of competitors to cross the actual starting line, and only another eighteen minutes for Jon Molz of East Northport to return and cross the finish line in 20:01.00. The twenty-one year old was followed by Dustin Emrani of Kings Point, one year older, in 20:24 and Dan Fishbein, 18, from Plainview, in 21:10. The top female finishers were lead by Christine Kenney, 30, of New York City in 24:56.0 then Una Broderick, 42, from Wantagh was right with her in 24:56.2 as the finish tape was still falling. Third was taken by Oyster Bay’s Jean Bohan in 26:00. All of the first 58 people were from New York, with Peter Scully from Vermont in 59th be-ing the first out of state resident to finish. Thanksgiving is an occasion for many to return to our area to celebrate with family, so it’s not unusual to see entries from places like Massachusetts, Virginia, or even Florida. But this year, they also came from Arizona, California and even Ha-waii! Sixty-one year old Mary Trotto from Kihei took first place in her age group to give her an added memory to take back to that other island. For many families, coming out to the runs is a tradition and often three generations are on hand to take part and cheer each other on. The same is true for individuals, like Bob Miller of Huntington Station who has entered all of the runs. He’s also into competitive swimming and coaching Masters Swimmers, so his remark when approaching the end was not unusual when he gave a high five saying “I’d rather swim it!” Special note, as a result of the record turnout, even though the race materials specified that tee-shirts were guaranteed to the first 1,000 runners to pick up their numbers, and the Fund got 1,100 shirts, the main sponsor – Long Island Land Rover Dealers – will order 250 additional shirts if enough participants who did not get a shirt contact the Townwide Fund by December 15th at (631) 271-3349 or e-mail to huntingtontwf@optonline.net. Townwide Fund’s member agencies also helped out – Foster Grandparents had two staff members serve a double shift at Super Runners Shop for the pre-race pick up and registration. The Red Cross emergency vehicle with a crew of Disaster Volunteers set up and manned the water stop near the midway point. Pal-O-Mine Equestrian volunteers saw to the number pick up and reg-istrations of Fun Run entrants at the race site. This is a way they say thank you to the Fund for the support they and the rest of the 24 agencies receive. Huntington Community First Aid Squad was represented by two first responders on bicy-cles and a two man crew with an ambulance ready to help with any medical emergency. These volunteers have come out many times before and are fully appreciated by the runners. In addition to Land Rover and Super Runners Shop, other sponsors
included Kohler & Isaacs, Borg & Borg, Moss Opticians, Allure
and Jason M. Pennighetti, Esq. There were also 24 “Tee Shirt”
sponsors who took a line on the back of the shirt. All of which
made for a financial success on a grand scale. FOR ALL RACE DAY PHOTOS CLICK HERE
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