Back-to-back overall winner in 2011 and 2012 of the Oyster Bay Town Supervisor’s 5-K, Conor Shelley of Rockville Centre, and 2009 and 2010 winner Chris Mammone of Massapequa (who holds the course record of 14:43) went stride for stride for most of the Oct. 19 race before Shelley pulled ahead near the finish for a five-second win. Shelley’s winning time was 15 minutes, 27 seconds.
The 5 Kilometer Oyster Bay course is a classic jaunt through the heart of Oyster Bay hamlet, starting on South Street by the firehouse, with a long uphill trek on Berry Hill Road, a steep downhill challenge on Sandy Hill Road, and a stretch down East Main Street to the last turn into the Townsend Square parking field to the finish line.
Many local runners from neighboring towns distinguished themselves with respectible race times. Steven Weiss of Plainview scored first in the 35-39 age group, while Shari Klarfeld of Plainview was the sixth woman finisher overall and scored first in the women’s 30-34 age group. Kim Solomine of Syosset earned the first place award in the women’s 55-59 age group and Pamela Lee of Syosset took first place honors in the women’s 60-64 age group. Another Syosset resident, Connie Sehlmeyer was the third woman to finish in the 65-69 age group. Barry Jerson of Plainview won the second place plaque in the men’s 65-69 age group, plus Howard Kestenbaum and Odd Sangesland, both of Plainview, finished 2-4 in the 80-84 age group. Bert Jablon of Syosset took top honors in the 85-89 age group and Lauren Osei of Jericho earned second place honors in the Athena 140-159 pound Weight Division, while Donna Kleiman of Syosset scored third in the Athena 160 pound plus Weight Division.
Among the younger crew, 13-year-old Jenna Pulis of Massapequa took home the third place plaque among the girls in the 14 and under age group, and brother Jake Pulis earned the 5th place award among the boys in that age group.
The field of 691 finishers was a record turnout, easily eclipsing the previous record of 665 finishers set in 2008.
Special congratulations to Oyster Bay Town Councilman Chris Coschignano, who put together a team of family, friends and colleagues who raised about $2,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project by running the race. The councilman himself finished in a creditable 32:20.
Race organizers thanked race sponsors led by the law firm of Sahn, Ward, Coschignano & Baker, Pro Sports of Oyster Bay and Huntington, the Challenge sponsor Runner’s Edge, All Round Foods and its ever generous CEO Glen Wolther, and Allan Sobel and the gang at South Shore Outdoor.
