In 2013, a record 414 runners and walkers crossed the finish line at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park in a 5-kilometer race. On Nov. 16, the co-host Integrated Medical foundation and Greater Long Island Running Club added a 10-kilometer run, which included a scenic jaunt out into the neighborhood surrounding Syosset’s H.B. Thompson Middle School, and the turnout rose dramatically to 576 finishers—368 in the 5K and 208 in the new 10K.
Chris Koegel of Malverne, who won the 5K last year, moved up to score a decisive victory in the 10K this year, with Stefanie Braun of Dix Hills scoring top honors among the women in the 10K. Justin Kulchinsky of Brooklyn, who was second in the 2013 5K, outran Keith Guilfoyle of Commack and Todd Rowley of Huntington to take first place honors in this year’s 5K, with Shari Klarfeld of Plainview winning the women’s division.
Lots of local Plainview and Old Bethpage athletes won awards at the Blue Ribbon Run. In the 5-kilometer run, Klarfeld scored still one more time as the first woman overall, covering the course in a strong 19:06. David Drebsky of Plainview took top honors in the 30-34 age group, Karen Friedman of Plainview, was the first woman in the 35-39 age group, and Neil Aronin of Plainview, was the third finisher in the 70-74 age group. In the 10 Kilometer Run, Dawn Grabois of Plainview earned the third place award in the women’s Athena weight division, while John Keichline of Plainview took top honors in the Clydesdale weight division. Other Plainview local accomplishments include: Jacob Grabois, second place in the 15-19 age group; Andrew Sidi, third place in the 30-34 age group; Paola Garzon, third place for the women in the 30-34 age group; Janna Ostroff, third place in the 35-39 age group; Thomas McManus, third place in the 40-44 age group and Judith Brenner, second place in the 45-49 age group; Steve Shulman, second place in the 50-54 age group and Howard Kestenbaum was the top scorer in the 80-84 age group. Staci Blanket of Old Bethpage was the top finisher in the women’s 50-54 age group.
Congratulations to Rhonda Samuel of Integrated Medical Foundation, a resident of Woodbury, who did another outstanding job of coordinating the event.
Thanks go to sponsors Advanced Urology Centers of New York, Advanced Radiation Centers of New York, Abbvie and Know Error, as well as to All Round Foods, Winthrop Urology, Coloplast, Dendreon, Runner’s Edge, Apple & Eve and the Bagel Boss Café of East Norwich.
A very special thanks to Grand Marshall Curtis Sliwa of the Guardian Angels, himself a survivor of prostate cancer, for his support and his inspirational speeches at the awards ceremony.
