Race Honoring 'Murph' First LI Race To Close Roads Post-Pandemic

SMITHTOWN, NY— Since 2012, Ronkonkoma's historic four-mile "Run Around the Lake" has honored late Long Island Navy Seal and Afghan War hero Lt. Michael P. Murphy. Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the conflict.

The race is traditionally held around Lake Ronkonkoma but this year's race, on June 26, will be held in Smithtown's Blydenburgh County Park, starting at the Dennison Building in Hauppauge. The event, rain or shine, starts at 7 a.m. with a 15K race, a 9 a.m. 5K race and a 9:30 a.m. "fun run."

Joe Meyer, who works for race timing company Elite Feats that puts the race on, told Patch this will be the first road race on Long Island approved for official road closures since the coronavirus pandemic shut down running races last year. The move from Lake Ronkonkoma to Smithtown is to help reduce the cost of needed road closures, Meyer added.