The Suffolk Marathon and Half Marathon to support our veterans occurred on Sunday, Sept. 13. The race route, which was designed to showcase and drive tourism toward downtowns along the Great South Bay, began and ended at Heckscher State Park in East Islip with a Taste of Long Island Festival, featuring local craft breweries, award-winning wines and local food.
“The Suffolk County Marathon is a mechanism to highlight the incredible communities, natural resources and businesses we have here in Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who ran in the marathon.
For some race participants, the Suffolk Marathon is their first full marathon, while other registrants have been competing in marathons, tough races and triathlons for years. Runners from around Long Island and beyond, including Massapequa, participated, including wheelchair and hand cycle competitors, veterans and supporters of veterans, as well as many others eager to enjoy Suffolk’s natural beauty and participate in the inaugural race.
Courtney Olton, 26, of Plainedge, has been running competitively for two years, in all different types of races.
“My passion for running took on a whole new meaning on May 2, the night before I ran in my first half marathon. My best friend, police officer Brian Moore, was shot and critically wounded,” said Olton, who wanted to do whatever she could to help him stay strong and pull through. “I dedicated my run to him. While I was running, my fiancé received the dreaded text message that his condition was not good. He kept fighting all day, but passed away the day after.”
From then on, Olton dedicated all of her races to Moore. She signed up for nine races throughout the summer, including the half marathon.
Michael McLaughlin of Massapequa Park completed the Suffolk marathon on Sunday, making it his 23rd marathon.
“I ran Suffolk because it’s the first of its kind and I want to be part of something great,” he said.
For John Zaia of Massapequa Park, running was a choice he made for his health.
“In 2009, I decided to choose a healthier lifestyle and lost more than 75 pounds. In my quest, I began running and have been an avid runner since,” he said. “I have run five half marathons and am training for the NYC Marathon in November. I used Suffolk as my fall training springboard and althoug I am not fast, I do finish.”
Mark Conca of Massapequa said it all in one short sentence.
“I’m running because I am a Long Islander,” he said.
The marathon was managed by the Greater Long Island Running Club. To learn more about the Suffolk Marathon, visit www.suffolkmarathon.com .
