Alexa Regina, Ashley Longo, Danielle McMullan and Erin Reilly, members of the Hicksville High School Cross Country Team, took third place team honors in the Girls High School Division in the 17th annual edition of Long Island Blood Services Rob’s Run, which was held Nov. 29 at Stillwell Woods Park in Syosset. Additionally, 31-year-old Chris Fedorczak of Hicksville scored third in the 30-34 age group in the individual competition.
Pleasant temperatures and sunny skies welcomed 642 finishers (nearly 200 finishers more than last year’s run) to the Stillwell Woods course. It was once again refreshing to see so many younger runners participating in Rob’s Run as part of a Long Island running community that has become increasingly “grayer” in recent years.
The first six runners were all under the age of 30, and the first 14 runners to finish were all under the age of 40, all a tribute to the good health of the sport on Long Island. “If you put on a quality event that promises to be competitive, younger runners will respond, and they did so in force at Rob’s Run,” observed Race Director James Murray.
Thanks go to Long Island Blood Services for their sponsorship of the Run once again. Thanks also go to the Center for Developmental Disabilities and the Center’s wonderful Executive Director Nick Boba and Director of Development Debbie Patey for lending the use of the facilities at the Center for packet pickup and the Awards Ceremony, to leading Syosset realtor Kathy Pisani of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty and Phils Pizzeria of Syosset as new sponsors of this year’s Run in support of The Center. We also thank Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and the staff of the town’s Department of Parks and Recreation for their support, and for all the enthusiastic volunteers from the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) for ensuring the success of the event. The club was happy to welcome Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman and Nassau County Legislator-elect Rose Marie Walker for once again being on hand to congratulate the runners.
The GLIRC was pleased to welcome Eddie Lauterborn to the run once again this year. The run is conducted in the memory of Eddie’s brother Rob, an outstanding runner and wonderful human being, who past away 15 years ago.
The club hopes everyone enjoyed the different kind of giveaway this year – an insulated Cooler Bag with the race name and logo on it.
