I would very much like to thank everyone in the Plainview-Old Bethpage community who made the 33rd annual Nationwide Insurance 10 Kilometer Run for ASPIRE the success that it was.
First and foremost are the residents of our community. I am well aware that having a race with 600 runners and walkers clogging local roads is an inconvenience to everyone who lives along the way. We send a letter to everyone who could possibly be affected by the event a week beforehand, but even with advance notice I am well aware that there are people who are going to be inconvenienced by the Run. My apologies to them, and I hope that everyone who was inconvenienced will understand what we are trying to do for the young amputees from the ASPIRE Program who are the beneficiaries of the Run.
Thanks also go to those of you who came out of your homes to cheer the runners on. Ten kilometers is not an easy distance, and everyone appreciates an encouraging word along the way.
Several local merchants certainly deserve mention for their help and support. Francesca Carlow of Tri Hardware was very generous in donating a well received door prize, The Main Event donated a pair of gift certificates as door prizes, Fairway Market very generously donated the bananas that were a big hit after the race, and Town Bagel once again gave us an outstanding value for the post-Run bagels.
Our thanks to the Plainview Volunteer Fire Department for supplying the Emergency Medical Team that is absolutely essential at the finish line of any event of this nature, to our good friends from Nassau County Police Department’s Second Precinct and the Plainview-Old Bethpage Auxiliary Police for their help in keeping the runners safe and secure, and to the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District and the Building and Grounds staff at the Mattlin Middle School for making the school a friendly place for our pre-run and post-run activities.
Thanks to the Plainview JCC for tolerating overflow parking at their facility on the morning of the Run.
Finally, a special thank you to Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and the great people from the Town’s Recreation staff who provide us with the kind of support and expertise that can’t be duplicated anywhere or at any price. We were thrilled to welcome Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia (our newest Town Board member and a Plainview resident!) and Town Councilwoman Beth Faughnan to the event last Saturday, and will give Supervisor Venditto a “pass” for not being able to get to the Run since his son was getting married that day! We also appreciate Nassau County Legislators Judy Jacobs, Rose Marie Walker and Joe Belesi for being on hand to show us their support.
I hope I haven’t missed anyone. As a Plainview resident myself for the past 40 years, I want to give everyone in our great community their due. Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you all again at our 34th annual Run on April 2, 2011.
Mike Polansky, President
Greater Long Island Running Club
