Runners stride towards cure in annual 5K
Over $20,000 raised for local breast cancer causes
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There were fewer competitors this year than in previous years, likely because of Saturday's dismal forecast: rain was predicted for the entire day. But the early morning drizzle stopped by the time registration opened at 8 a.m. at the staging area on Crescent Beach. The temperature was in the 50s, the sky cleared and some beautiful sunshine lifted everyone's spirits, creating great (albeit a bit windy) conditions for a race.
At the 10 a.m. starting gun, I maneuvered out from behind a pack of runners from Southampton High School and settled into a comfortable pace. Because I live on Stearns Point Road and my daily run is essentially the 5K route, I thought familiarity with the course would give me a slight advantage. But shortly after the first bend at Olde Country Inn, the leaders disappeared into the distance.
But the race adrenaline and steady pace of nearby runners helped me charge on. By the time I crossed the finish line (in 20:52), my eyes were blurry, my head was spinning and I thought I was going to be sick. Once I regained my composure, though, I was pleasantly surprised with my first-place finish in my age group (20-24).
While this was my first 5K, this year's overall winner, Shelter Island's Bryan Knipfing, is already a 5K veteran at age 25. His finish this year was eight seconds faster than his win last year. “I really like the course,” he said after the race, adding, “it's always a beautiful place to run.”
It's a beautiful place to get married, too. Janelle Kraus, Shelter Island's only high school state champion and an accomplished distance runner, kicked off her special day with a 5K performance. She ran in a wedding veil alongside her now-husband, Bill Nadeau of Lyme, Connecticut, who sported a bow-tie. Those lucky enough (and fast enough) to see their kiss as he carried her over the finish line were treated to one of the day's most tender moments. They were married at Our Lady of the Isle Church just a few hours later. Their wedding party featured a cadre of runners who participated in the 5K, including first female and Irish steeplechase national record-holder McGettigan, and second female and 2004 Olympic 5K runner Marie Davenport (18:16).
There was no shortage of volunteers. Oscar Gonzales of Moussa Dramé's Dering Harbor Inn conducted a lively stretch clinic that got everyone pumped before the run. After they crossed the finish line, participants were treated to complimentary massages by Holly Cronin and Vanessa Hamlet. Tom Hashagen and a group of BOCES students cooked up some burgers, hot dogs and chili in a barbecue sponsored by the Shelter Island IGA. In all, race coordinator Mary Ellen Adipietro estimated that there were between 50 and 60 volunteers who proved invaluable to helping the race go off without a hitch.
The subsequent raffle raised about $2,000 for Lucia's Angels, an organization that has recently expanded its mission statement, from just helping breast cancer patients and their families to helping patients with all late-stage women's cancers. “They're reaching out to a whole different population,” said Ms. Adipietro, “and that's important.”
Ken Lewis Jr. was a hit on the microphone both while calling out the winners during the awards ceremony and pitching raffle prizes ranging from gift certificates for local restaurants to courtside tickets to a Nets game. “It's such a good cause,” he said. “Mary Ellen and that whole group of women that organize this thing do a great job. I'm so happy to be a part of it every year, it's fun.”
When Keith Clark, a local carpenter, won a designer bag in the raffle, Mr. Lewis told him, “That'll go great with you, Keith, think of all the tools you could fit in that thing!” eliciting laughs and applause from the crowd.
Sadly, one raffle donation could not be fulfilled. Patty Conway, long-time 5K contributor, avid golfer and loved Island resident lost her battle with cancer and passed away Monday morning. She had offered to teach a golf lesson as a raffle prize. She called Bob DeStefano of Gardiner's Bay Country Club on Friday to ask if he would teach the lesson — he agreed.
“She was a wonderful person, always helping the community with anything, and us, definitely, with the race,” said Ms. Adipietro, who spoke with Pat on Friday to ask her to pray for good weather despite the negative forecast. And there was, indeed, a break in the rain, long enough for the event to finish before the downpour began again later that day. “I think she was the reason we had that weather,” said Ms. Adipietro. “She was just always thinking about everybody until the end.”
The 5K raised over $21,000 to be split between the North and South Fork Breast Health Coalitions. “The money stays in the East End,” says Ms. Adipietro. “Everybody appreciates that because they know they're helping and supporting their neighbors, their friends. The spirit of it is really community-minded.”
She added, “One thing that Shelter Island always likes ... is to have people do the races but also have a great time doing them, and get a good feeling from them.”
I know I did.
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