The threat of rain didn't scare off too many competitors. Although there were about 80 fewer participants than last year, the race in general sustained its increased popularity since 2007 — there was about a 50 percent increase in participants from 2007 to 2008. Ms. Adipietro considered the turnout “very good,” especially in light of the weather, and that “next year, weather permitting, the potential for 2,000 runners is definitely there.”

Over 100 Shelter Islanders conquered the 6.2 miles this year, and more than 50 joined in the 5K fun walk. The 10K's community feel was readily apparent. Some competitors picked up their kids in the home stretch on Fiske Field and carried them so they could join in on crossing the finish line. A few participants ran pushing their kids in strollers, even though doing so is discouraged due to the potential for injury (race coordinators are sure to place participants in such an order on the starting line that maximizes safety). Don Bindler elicited smiles from the crowd when he announced over the loudspeaker that the “10K's first-ever golden retriever is crossing the finish line.”

Island runner Bryan Knipfing had an exciting finish, breaking into the top 10 men's division with a finishing time of 35:06; he finished 14th overall last year. Local man John Kenny finished with a time of 39:26, leading the male Shelter Island resident division and placing 37th overall. William Lehr was second in both the male Islander division and the wheelchair division, placing 51st overall. Islander Kevin Barry finished just one second behind Lehr. There were only two wheelchair competitors this year. Peter Hawkins of Malverne won his fourth of the last seven 10Ks and claimed 13th place overall with a time of 34:34.

Lauren Laviola was the fastest Shelter Island female with a time of 42:37, placing 73rd overall. Linda McCarthy took second in the division and Regan McGorry-Beaton snagged third.

Orest Babjak of Brooklyn went home with the male Masters division victory, finishing in 33:29. Kieran Gibbons took the second place medal. Diane Kenna won the female Masters division for the second year in a row, shaving three seconds off her 2008 time to finish in 40:13. Barbara Gubbins of Southampton finished second in the division.

None of these competitors, of course, would have had a race to run without the generous help of over 100 volunteers. A seemingly endless number of jobs (set-up, registration on Friday and Saturday, bag checks, the race-day barbecue, the post-race tent and the water stations, just to name a few) were approached with what Ms. Adipietro called an “upbeat and positive attitude that made the runners positive,” even in the face of grey weather. She believes that “the volunteers make the statement that we are good people, we treat you well, we appreciate you coming to the Island, and people see that.” She added, “it's a model event for the Island in a lot of different ways, ... and we're proud of it, we're proud of our volunteers, and proud of the way the little Cub Scouts to the older volunteers handle people and are so helpful to everybody.”

The runners are appreciative, she said. Every year, race organizers get emails after the event from participants thanking them for their hospitality and complimenting the town and its people. Ms. Adipietro thinks that's why volunteers come back year after year. They “see the ‘thank you's' they get from off-Island people that they've never met, and they see that they make a huge difference,” she said. They know that they're not only needed, but they're really appreciated.

Four-time New York City and Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers gave an inspiring talk before the race, and had some encouraging words for competitors at the awards ceremony, stating that he “loves seeing runners of all ages.” And the race, indeed, featured all ages. From eight-year-old Stefan Brechter of Cold Spring Harbor to 84-year-old Len Scheer from New York City, the 10K runners comprised a diverse group. There were even a couple of budding elite runners — both just four years old — who completed the 5K walk.

Rodgers noted that the varied hills and turns that comprise the 10K make for a “strategic course.” But even in the midst of all his tactical planning and the cloudy weather, the Island landscape shined through: “The course is beautiful,” he said, adding, “it was a blast.” He thanked race coordinators for inviting him and said, “I hope to come back.”

The event benefited the East End Hospice, Timothy Hill Children's Ranch and the Shelter Island Run Community Fund. The charity work continues through the sales of fleeces, shirts and other gear at shelterislandrun.com. Over the 30 years the 10K has been in operation, the event has raised over $500,000 for the Special Olympics and other local charities.

Raffle prizes were given out at the awards ceremony after trophies were distributed, although the majority of racers had already retired to the post-race party. The party was held at the Island Boatyard, where runners kicked back, enjoyed music and ate some well-deserved barbecue.

Back at the raffle, Jet Blue sponsored two round trip tickets to any destination from New York, and Apple Honda of Riverhead gave away $500 to a registered runner and $500 to a registered walker. About 30 participants names were called in the raffle before winners were found. Three of those who braved the increasingly heavy rain to attend the awards celebration were eventually rewarded with the raffle prizes. The rest found their gratification in the positive words of award ceremony speakers Don Bindler and Bill Rodgers and in the smiling faces of the day's champions.

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