Michele Grieco of Massapequa, who was the top female finisher in the 25 to 29 age group in the Lynn, Gartner, Dunne & Covello Sand
s Point 5K Sprint, which was held on the grounds of the Sands Point Preserve on Aug. 9.
Grieco, 26, crossed the finish line adjacent to Hempstead House on the preserve in 19 minutes and 39 seconds, a 6:20 per mile pace that brought her to the finish 16 seconds in front of her nearest age group competitor. She was the third woman overall to cross the finish line.
An impressive 392 finishers enjoyed a beautiful August morning in one of Long Island’s hidden treasures. The new course this year added a jaunt up to Falaise, but kept that same tough half mile of trail in the third mile and that tricky hill just before the three mile mark.
Thanks go to the race management team from the Greater Long Island Running Club, including coordinator of volunteers Mike Fernandez for another outstanding effort, and the hardworking logistics team of Fred von der Heydt, Nick Palazzo & Ryan Fitzpatrick, to Nikita Dorcinvil of Just Finish for quick and accurate results, and to Terry Bisogno for his usual skillful job as the race announcer.
Extra special thanks to the title sponsor, the leading Nassau County law firm of Lynn, Gartner, Dunne & Covello, with two of the four named partners—Ken Gartner (28:13) and John Dunne (33:30)—successfully completing the sprint. Gratitude also goes to longtime sponsor the Lynbrook Runner’s Stop (Ellen Copeman), to new sponsors North Shore-LIJ and BWD Insurance, to DiMaggio’s Tratorria and Greenpoint Harbor Brewery for donating some most appreciated post-race refreshments.
Mary Miller and the Friends of the Sands Point Preserve made everyone feel welcome once again this year.
It was a pleasure to support the new charitable partner Sunrise Association, and its mission to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings.
By Mike Polansky
