While not quite as nice as last year’s weather, the weather for this year’s 18th annual edition of Long Island Blood Services Rob’s Run was a good deal better than in 2008, and this year’s finale of the USATF-Long Island Cross Country season welcomed 528 finishers to the Stillwell Woods course on Nov. 28.
Run organizers were 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 left us far too soon 15 years ago.
The top finisher from Hicksville was 16-year-old Taylor Plank, who scored in 32nd place OA in18:14. Rafael Medalla of Hicksville also had an outstanding race, taking third place honors in the 40-44 Age Group with a time of 19:23.
Chris Mammone of the Bellmore Striders won top honors for the third year in a row, with a 15:31 finish that was 10 seconds faster than his 2009 winning time. Chris’ Bellmore teammate Matt Walsh was the runner-up, 13 seconds behind Chris. Noni Accetturi took top honors in the Women’s Division in 18:10, leading a 1-2-3 Bellmore sweep in the Women’s Division.
The finishing times were exceptionally competitive in this year’s Run, with the first 26 runners scoring in under 18 minutes, 57 in under 19 minutes, and 85 runners breaking the magic 20 minute mark.
The Greater Long Island Running Club, under the direction of Run co-Directors Susan Fitzpatrick and Jim Murray, organized the Run.
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 11 runners were all under the age of 30, and the first 18 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, the ‘young studs’ will respond, and they did so in force at Rob’s Run,” observed Run co-Director James Murray. “We are thrilled to have so many younger superstars join in with a strong Masters contingent to make this year’s edition of Rob’s Run still another smashing success.”
Thanks go to Long Island Blood Services and 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 S&S Automotive Center of Syosset supporting sponsors of this year’s Run in support of The Center. Also to be thanked is 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 for ensuring the success of the event.
Run organizers were thrilled to have Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Nassau County Legislators Rose Marie Walker, Joe Belesi and Judy Jacobs, Oyster Bay Town Board members Rebecca Alesia and Joe Pinto on hand to welcome the runners to Long Island’s largest cross country event.
Hold the date for next year – Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, and the 19th annual edition of Long Island Blood Services Rob’s Run!
