William Hansler of the NYPD Racing Team was a convincing winner in the 19th annual David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation 5 Kilometer Run held in Eisenhower Park on the evening of June 10, crossing the finish line in 16:39 – exactly one minute in front of the incredible 58 year old Chris Webber of the Super Runner’s Shop Team. Hansler’s NYPD teammate Shaun Mara scored in 3rd place OA.
Twenty-seven year old Michele Henschel continued her winning ways in the Women’s Division, gradually drawing away from runner-up Jessica Petermann to score a 19:01 finish. Jill Skelly was the third woman OA and first Masters woman.
Local athletes coming home from Eisenhower Park with awards included Jonathan Shoemaker of East Norwich, who scored third in the 20-24 age group, Kelly Pickard of Oyster Bay, who was the second place finisher in the women’s 50-54 age group, Christine Gillen Ventura of Locust Valley, who earned the third place plaque in the women’s 55-59 age group.
The biggest story of the day was the outpouring of support for our Long Island law enforcement officers. Race organizers were privileged to have David Lerner on hand personally to welcome the runners to the event, and Nassau County Police Commissioner Larry Mulvey was a competitor in the race once again, crossing the finish line in a very creditable 25:36. Other notables on hand to show their support were Nassau County Legislators Joe Belesi, Dennis Dunne and Rose Marie Walker.
Perhaps the biggest thrill of the day was the presence of hero-Nassau County Police Officer Ken Baribault, who was there with his family and served as the Official Starter of the Run. Officer Baribault, was severely injured after being hit by a drunk driver on the Long Island Expressway.
The Run was hosted by the Greater Long Island Running Club, and thanks go to Race Director Ira Eskow, who has managed this event for the entire 19 years of its existence, to David Lerner, a good and generous man, and to all the other people in the Lerner organization. A special note of thanks to Coordinator of Volunteers Mindy Davidson, to Logistics Coordinator Fred von der Heydt, and to Terry Bisogno for another excellent job on the microphone!
