Several local runners were big finishers in the 28th annual Runner’s Edge-Town of Oyster Bay Triathlon, held in Oyster Bay and surrounding hamlets on Sunday morning, Aug. 30, including Christine Grippo, Natalie Penny and Steve Quigley of Bayville, Kelly Pickard, Nicholas Cuddy, Fraser Henderson, Maria Ehlinger and Richard Huminski of Oyster Bay and Adam Jug of Laurel Hollow.
Henderson was the first local finisher, scoring third in the 30-34 age group, and finishing in one hour, seven minutes, 23 seconds. The 35-year-old Grippo was the ninth female finisher overall, with a total time of one hour, 10 minutes, 10 seconds. Pickard scored as the first Masters (age 40-plus) finisher among the women. Penny earned first place honors among the women in the 40-44 age group. Quigley was the first Masters finisher in the Clydesdale Weight Division. Cuddy took home the third place award in the Open Clydesdale Weight Division. Jug won the fourth place award in the 45-49 age group, Ehlinger ranked fifh among the women in the 55-59 age group and Huminski scored fifth in the 65-69 age group.
The event consisted of a half-mile swim in Oyster Bay harbor, a 15 kilometer bike ride through Oyster Bay Cove and Laurel Hollow and a five kilometer run to Planting Fields and back to the finish at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay.
Race management was conducted by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with Jose Lopez and Ray Farrell serving as co-directors and Mindy Davidson and Linda Ottaviano serving as the co-coordinators.
The triathlon was once again conducted under the auspices of the Town of Oyster Bay, with TOBAY Recreation Supervisor Diane Ramos serving as the town’s coordinator for the event. Bay Constable Mike Rich and Theodore Roosevelt Parks manager Scott Russo provided help at the event and support was provided by Public Safety Commissioner Justin McCaffrey and his staff.
Sponsors who provided the wherewithal to make this event financially feasible included: Bob Cook and the gang at The Runner’s Edge, who have been the title sponsor for a decade; Mike Monastero, Doug Williamson, Kathy Keilitz at Babylon Bike; Steve and Holly Jonas of Jonas Chiropractic; TYR, who donated the swim caps; and Steve and Lisa Kristel of Bo’s Kitchen and Bar Room in Manhattan and South Edison in Montauk. Western Beef donated the post race BBQ and Blue Point Brewery supplied beverages.
On hand to lend their support to the athletes were Nassau County Legislators Rose Marie Walker and Don MacKenzie, Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tony Macagnone, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Jim Altadonna, New York State Assemblyman Michael Montesano and District Court Judge Paul Meli.
