The 30th Annual Runners Edge Long Island Women’s Run on July 13 saw a field of 439 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes crossing the finish line on the track at nearby Farmingdale High School.
Local runners were on hand for this event, and many of them took home awards. Top local finisher was Lauren Jasinski of Plainview, who finished eighth, overall and took home the second place award plaque in the 35-39 age-group.
Other local athletes winning awards were Shari Klarfeld of Plainview (fifth 30-34 age-group), Pamela Lee of Syosset (third 60-64 age-group), and Constance Sehlmeyer of Syosset (third 65-69 age-group),
It was also the fourth consecutive win for Leonora Petrina, who scored as the overall winnr, and is generally recognized as the top female runner currently in training on Long Island.
“Our thanks to our local friends and neighbors for supporting this most important event,” stated Race Director Debbie Blair of the Plainview based Greater Long Island Running Club. “We are thrilled that several local athletes won awards, and offer our congratulations to Lauren, Shari, Pamela and Constance.”
Petrina’s 16:43 finish was only three seconds off her best finish in this race of 16:40 in 20:10, sufficient to give her a 42 second winning margin over runner-up Karen Roa, with Callie Hogan rounding out the top three. U.S. Olympian Maria Michta was the Racewalk winner. Top Masters finisher was Karen Pompay, who crossed the finish line in seventh place overall.
The heat and humidity certainly played their role this year, but the earlier starting time of 8:30 a.m. took a bit of the edge off, and the ice cream, watermelon, and the sinful pastries donated by All Round Foods at the finish line made everyone forget how tough the run might have been.
The proceeds of this year’s Run will once again be distributed to THE OPEN WORD, a special program administered by the Dominican Sisters that provides education and job training to poor uneducated women.
