Sports

Long Island Mile Dedicates Meet To Life Of Defending Champ

"The good Lord is shedding tears for our good friend David Torrence," the race announcer said as rain soaked racers and spectators.

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"The good Lord is shedding tears for our good friend David Torrence," said the race announcer as rain soaked racers and spectators alike during the third-annual Hoka One One Long Island Mile at St. Anthony's High School on Wednesday.

Torrence, who ran in the 2016 Olympics for Peru, was found dead just one week before he was going to defend his title. He won in 2015 and 2016.

Meet director and Dix Hills native Kyle Merber dedicated the meet in memory of his good friend and Hoka One One teammate.

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Torrence shocked the running community after he was found dead in a pool in Scottsdale, Arizona, on the morning of Monday, Aug. 28, Arizona Central reports. Many runners ran in memory of their good friend.

The David Torrence Mile winner was Adidas athlete Chris O'Hare, who pointed both fingers to the sky as he broke the tape at the finish line in 3 minutes and 56.22 seconds. "This one is for you D.T.," he wrote on Twitter.

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The Sayville-Smithtown Running Co Mile was won by a familiar face, Long Island native Emily Lipari, in 4 minutes and 28.84 seconds.

Lipari was a star runner at Roslyn High School and Villanova University. She then went on to run professionally for the Boston Athletic Association, but said she struggled to find success as a pro for the first few years. "This year, I really believe in myself as a pro. I used to look at the paper and get really afraid and not give myself a chance," Lipari told Patch after her win. "This year, I've really come out as a new person with a new fire."

Lipari came from behind with her signature kick to defeat mid-distance star Brenda Martinez by .12 seconds.

Lipari said, despite the distance Martinez had on her in the final stretch, she believed she would win. She also said she felt support from the Long Island crowd, being the only Long Island native in the women's field. She's also the first Long Islander to win an elite race in the three-year history of the Hoka One One Long Island Mile.

"Sometimes, a little magic can happen if you believe in yourself," she said.

Lipari and O'Hare were presented their race awards by the family of David Torrence, who came out to Long Island to attend the meet.

O'Hare gives an emotional embrace to Torrence's family member.

View the final meet results here:

Patch photo: (l-r) Sayville-Smithtown Running Company owner Brendan Barrett, David Torrence's family member, O'Hare, Lipari, David Torrence's family member, Meet director Kyle Merber

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