Patchogue Y to Host Suffolk Marathon Expo

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced today that the Patchogue Family YMCA will host the pre-race Sports and Fitness Expo serving runners registered for Catholic Health Services second annual Suffolk County Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k.

The expo will take place from Friday Oct. 28 from 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 10 to 3 p.m. The expo is open to the public, free of charge, and will feature the services and products from a variety of the marathon vendors, sponsors and partners as well as serve as the place where runners can pick up their race packets.

The Suffolk Marathon, which takes place on October 30th will feature a scenic 26.2-mile race through the vibrant downtowns of Suffolk County, as well as a half marathon and a newly added 5k race. The marathon begins and ends in the Village of Patchogue.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, “This Expo is a wonderful event that will showcase Long Island small businesses, as well as encourage visits to Patchogue’s downtown. I am excited to once again see the positive impact on the local economy that the marathon will have.”

“As the Mayor of the Village of Patchogue, I am very excited and honored that the Patchogue YMCA and the Village of Patchogue have been selected to host this year’s Suffolk County Marathon,” said Mayor Paul Pontieri. “The YMCA is the perfect place to host it and the Village is the perfect place to have it.”

“The Patchogue Family YMCA is the centerpiece of a thriving Patchogue community. Its nonprofit platform allows for remarkable community focused programming and an undeniably positive environment,” said YMCA director Timothy Steiskal. “The building stands out through its pure architectural beauty and incredible functionality. The YMCA core values are youth development, healthy Living and social responsibility, and you feel those values as soon are walk into our doors.”

The marathon is designated as a 2018 Boston Marathon qualifier and the half as an international and national championship for the intellectually disabled. All net proceeds will go toward benefiting Suffolk County veteran services. The race will hold a special veterans category for active military and retired veterans as well as a discounted registration fee. For those that cannot participate the day of the event but would still like to complete the race and receive runner perks, a virtual race option is being offered once again this year. Last year’s race raised $160,000 for veterans services.

After the race, a Freedom Festival with a Taste of Long Island fest will be held for both race participants and spectators. The festival will feature some of Long Island’s best local food as well as award-winning wines and craft brews from the region, all accompanied by live musical performances.

"We’re very excited that once again the race will be coming through Patchogue, and even better this year that it is beginning and ending here," Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce Executive Director David Kennedy said. "And now that the expo is here, we will see a tremendous benefit from the many people coming downtown. We're thankful to Suffolk County Steve Bellone for helping our downtown with this great event."

The marathon is also part of the eight-race Suffolk County Veteran Run Series.

For more information on the race and registration visit http://suffolkmarathon.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/suffolkmarathon