Runners from the Massapequas and all over Long Island are invited to join with the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC
) and the ELIJA Foundation to enjoy the “justcAUse We Run Journey for Autism 5-Mile Run for ELIJA” through the scenic roads of Huntington, Halesite and Huntington Bay on Sunday morning, June 12.
The run starts and finishes at the Flower Hill Primary School in Huntington, with a finish that will be followed by a great post-race picnic, entertainment featuring a live band and great sleeveless dri-fit shirts for all entrants. It is being conducted to benefit The ELIJA School for Children with autism, located on Laurel Lane in Levittown. Autism is now the most prevalent developmental disorder in the United States, affecting one in every 68 children born today. ELIJA supports individuals throughout their lifespans and focuses on vocational skills, life skills, cognitive and social skills and community integration, with the ultimate goal of preparing and supporting individuals to live and work as independently as possible.
Capital One Bank will be the lead sponsor of the event. Other key sponsors include the law firm of Thiverge & Rothberg PC that focuses exclusively on the representation of children and adolescents with disabilities through the special education process, SCARAN, Air Design, Inc. and Different Roads.
Timing and scoring will be handled by JustFinish.net, and Terry Bisogno (“the voice of Long Island running”) will be doing the race announcing. Awards will be presented to the top male and female overall and masters finishers, and to the top three male and female finishers in each of 16 age groups running up through 85 and over and top the top three Clydesdale and Athena finishers in each of two weight divisions.
The five-mile run will be preceded by a free fun run for the youngsters, with each participant receiving a special finishers’ medal.
“This event will be conducted in one of the most beautiful areas on Long Island,” observed GLIRC executive director Linda Ottaviano. “We were pleased to be able to initiate a five mile race over these scenic roads in 2013, and we are thrilled to be returning there on June 12.”
Registration for the run is now open at www.glirc.org. Hard copy applications can be obtained by calling Linda at the club office at 516-349-7646.
—Submitted by Mike Polansky
