The temperatures were low outside, but the spirits were high as nearly 500 runners participated in the inaugural held on Jan. 15. The race, which started and ended at the Blue Point Brewery in Patchogue, has been held informally for a few years but this year organizers decided to formalize the run. The race was previously scheduled for Jan. 8 but was postponed due to weather conditions.
The Greater Long Island Running Club organized the event, which was sponsored by the and Blue Point Brewery. With the roads closed off thanks to the and dozens of volunteers helping to divert the traffic, participants were able to race through the residential streets of Blue Point, Patchogue and Sayville.
Proceeds from the event benefitted the to help in its efforts to provide food and support services to individuals and families in need in the local community. It also supported Better Understanding of Life in Africa (BULA) to further its efforts to improve the educational opportunities of African children living in poverty.
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“The race was very well organized and I think they did a very nice job with it,” said Una Broderick, who placed third in the overall women’s group. “The roads were cleared nicely, and they had plenty of volunteers who helped navigate the way. It was definitely cold out there but the sun came out and I started to warm up.”
Fellow runner and announcer for the Terry Bisogno added, “The course looked like a beautiful winter wonderland. Everyone got out there and really gave it their all today. This race is a nice prelude to the new expanded Sayville Summer Series.”
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Back at the Blue Point Brewery, there was a heated tent set up in the back with plenty of bagels, hot chocolate, coffee, pasta and, of course, beer. While the DJ played dance music, raffle tickets were being sold for a keg of Blue Point beer.
The top performers in each age group received decorated beer stein awards. The winners for overall female were: Petrina Leonora of Bayport (28) at 1:02:31.8; Heather Williams of Centerport (35) at 1:04:03.9; and Una Broderick of Wantagh (44) at 1:05:56.1. The top overall male winners were: Shawn Pollard of Port Jefferson Station (25) at 52:48.1; of Sayville (27) at 55:34.6; and Richard Trojanowski of Calverton (36) at 55:34.7.
Check the for highlights from the race.
