15th Annual Runners Edge Main Street Mile a major success

15th Anniversary - August 31, 2019

15th Annual Main Street Mile major success

536 registrants took part

Over $20,000 raised for Companions in Courage Foundation

During a luncheon back in 2005, Mark Leff, of Cisco Systems, and Bob Cook, owner of the Runners Edge in Farmingdale, discussed putting on a race to support Companions in Courage Foundation (CiC), founded by Hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine. Cook’s thought was to put on a 1 mile race believing it would be unique and attract participants of all abilities. In June, 2005, North Fork Bank and Farmingdale Chiropractor Dr. Larry Lembo were the very first sponsors. During Labor Day weekend 2005, the first Runners Edge Main Street Mile was held, it attracted 180 participants raising $3,000 for CiC.

Since then this event has become a Labor Day tradition in Farmingdale becoming one of CiC’s most anticipated events of the year attracting over 500 participants and raising over $180,000 for CiC. Last year, Newsday called the Runners Edge Main Street Mile “one of the top 10 things to do on Long Island for Labor Day weekend”.

On Saturday August 31, the 15th annual Runners Edge Main Street Mile and Fundraiser for Companions in Courage Foundation (CIC) was held. 536 registrants took part raising a record amount of over $20,000 benefiting CiC.

Success was due to the generosity of sponsors that included Presenting Sponsor Bob Cook of the Runners Edge. Others included title sponsor Cisco Systems, Farmingdale Chiropractor Dr. Larry Lembo, Farmingdale based law firm of Carman, Callahan and Ingham , Melville based law firm of Carter, Deluca, Farrell and Schmidt, Race Awesome who set up a first class finish line, The Nutty Irishman donated the post race brunch, Others included Saucony Stamford Connecticut based Horizon Paper. Allstate Richie Heumann Agency of North Babylon, and 103.1 MAX FM.

Co-race directors were Bob Cook, owner of the Runners Edge and Mark Leff of Cisco Systems, along with the race committee of Mindy Davidson of BOCES, Craig Gluf of Universal Photonics and Jim Johnson, Executive Director of Companions in Courage.

The race finished in front of Farmingdale Village Hall. The awards ceremony took place at the Village Gazebo. There were 83 participants from Farmingdale, 39 from Massapequa and Massapequa Park and many from surrounding local towns such as Bethpage, Seaford, Wantagh and as far away as Darien, Connecticut and Santa Monica, California!

The event had strong local representation with other sponsors including Dr. Walter Priestley and The Posillico Foundation, sponsoring 40 members of the Farmingdale Cross Country Team, There was a kid’s fun run where younger participants run a quarter-mile up on Main Street, getting medals and free ice cream from McDonalds. This year’s official race photographers were Island Photography of Port Washington and Joel Harris Photography of Mineola.

Pat LaFontaine, one of Hockey’s Top-100 all-time players and founder of Companions in Courage Foundation said, “We have watched this event emerge to become part of the fabric of Farmingdale’s Labor Day weekend. Our record number of participants, sponsors and funds raised this year to benefit local pediatric patients, is a reflection on the village’s emergence as one of the great downtown’s on Long Island. I cannot thank the race committee, sponsors and of course, Bob Cook at Runner’s Edge enough for their vision and support,”

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Farmingdale Village Administrator was also on hand to congratulate the participants. Race announcing was done by “The Voice of Long Island Racing” Terry Bisogno. Race timing was provided by PRTiming of New Paltz, NY. The finish line was provided by RaceAwesome’s Corey Roberts from Baldwin.

The race was followed by a special fundraising event at The Nutty Irishman. The MC for the event was The Wiseman from 103.1 MAX FM. The Main Street Mile produced great performances: Men's open division (under 40 years of age) was won by Boyd Carrington of West Islip in 4:16, followed by Joseph Grieco of Massapegua and John Butler of NYC.

Men’s master’s division was won by Trent Hampton of Lake Ronkomkoma in 4:53, followed by Earl Penney of Glen Head and Jason Ramirez of Wantagh.

Women's open division was won by, Katie McGrath of Oakdale in 4:59, followed by Maria Marascia and Laura Barreca.

Women's masters division, was won by Jennifer St. Jean of Darien, Connecticut, a member of the Westchester Track Club and Silver Medalist in the 1500 in 2015 for Women’s Masters World Championships,in 5:10, followed by Stephanie Hoffman and Dara Mayola.

The wheelchair division was once again won by Peter Hawkins of Malverne in 3:24.

The oldest finishers were Carlos Morales and Geza Feld, both 85 years old. Geza was also recipient of the Bill Benson award honoring the oldest finisher. A notable performance came from Virginia Guichard of Melville who finished in 19:58 in the 80-84 year old division.

44 participants from RunStart ,which is sponsored by the Greater Long Island Running Club and Runners Edge to introduce new runners to sport also took part. Debbie Blair and Bob Cook are to be thanked for their efforts with this group. Proceeds go towards LaFontaine's non-profit organization Companions in Courage, whose focus is building interactive playrooms in Children's Hospitals across North America and building the “CiC Network”. Their motto is "No child in the fight for life or health should ever have to go it alone." The proceeds from this event will go a long way towards helping children and their families in their time of need given the great work done by CiC” Upcoming initiatives include “Santa Connection”, a way to bring live and personal Santa visits to children in the care of these hospitals using Google video conferencing, as the yearly visit from the Heisman Trophy winner this coming December.

Co-race director Mark Leff of Cisco Systems and CiC Technology Advisory Board Lead added. “I think about how today prominent leaders and business people in the Farmingdale community have come together to make this event special and first class in every respect. This event means so much to the community as well as so the children all the participants helped support in Children’s Hospitals all over the US and Canada. What a great example of bringing the community together for a great cause.”

For more information on Companions in Courage, visit their website at http://www.cic16.org.

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