Plainview runners motored through Syosset-Woodbury Community Park in the 5th annual Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer, a 5-kilometer road race on Sunday, Nov. 17
Among the Plainview participants winning awards were top Clydesdale Weight Division finishers Ken Colantuoni; David Drebsky, second in the 30-34 age group; Steven Weiss and Matthew Gregory, who were first and third respectively in the 35-39 age group; Barry Jerson, first in the 65-69 age group; and Howard Kestenbaum, second in the 80-84 age group.
But perhaps the biggest feat of the event crossed the finish line with 13-year-old Celeste Taub. The Jericho resident showed that she could run with the big girls — and boys — scoring a decisive victory in the women’s division. Taub finished the run in 20 minutes, 17 seconds — 53 seconds in front of 36-year-old runner-up Kelly Bregou of New York City.
A record-breaking total of 414 runners and walkers crossed the finish line, including local runners Jeffrey Weiss and Susan Anderson of Syosset, who earned second place honors among the women in the 25-29 age group; Lauren Osei of Jericho, third place woman in the 35-39 age group; Patty Santella of Syosset, first among the women in the 45-49 age group; Kim Solomine of Syosset, second woman in the 55-59 age group; Pamela Lee of Syosset, first in the women’s 60-64 age group; Connie Sehlmeyer of Syosset, second woman in the 65-69 age group; and Bert Jablon of Syosset, who earned top honors in the 85 plus age group.
Mike Polanksy of the Greater Long Island Running Club and Rhonda Samuel of Integrated Medical Foundation co-hosted the event. Aside from worrying about all aspects of the race, Samuel, Westbury resident, took to the track and turned in a personal best time of 30:52 — 21 seconds faster than her 2012 finish.
Curtis Sliwa of the Guardian Angels, himself a prostate cancer survivor, served as Grand Marshall and many elected officials showed up to support the cause, including Supervisor John Venditto, Assemblyman Mike Montesano, Legislators Judy Jacobs and Rose Marie Walker, Councilmen Tony Macagnone and Joe Pinto and Oyster Bay Town Clerk Jim Altadonna.
