On Saturday, March 19, more than 540 runners participated in ‘The Run for Tomorrow’s Hope’, hosted by Garden City’s St. Joseph School. The event, which has grown from the 350 runners who participated last year, is a USATF-sanctioned event featuring chipped timing for serious runners and a one-mile fun run for children and recreational runners. The race is hosted by St. Joseph School, a Catholic elementary school and is organized as a benefit for the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation, the Long Island-based charitable organization that provides tuition assistance for families of children wishing to attend a Long Island Catholic elementary school.
Runners competed on a flat and fast 5K course through the tree-lined streets of Garden City. The 5K course was in great shape and was brilliantly run by 12-year-old Lauryn Heskin of Floral Park, who set a world record with a blistering time of 17:37.3. Heskin’s record time also made her the top female finisher with 16-year-old Cecilia Winthrop taking second with a time of 20:17.6 and 15-year-old Flusing resident Chiara Cinquemani finishing third with a time of 20:47.7. Overall top finisher was 17-year-old Amityville resident Patrick White, who set a course record of 16:33.9 and was followed across the finish line by 37-year-old Jay Barry from Manhasset, in second at 16:36.6. Fifteeen-year-old Floral Park resident Ryan Heskin came in third with a time of 17:11.7.
The race also featured some fun categories. The fastest clergy award went to St. Joseph’s own Father Joe Scolaro, who ran the 5k in 24:22.1. The fastest male Catholic school teacher was Coach John May from St. Francis Prep with a time of 21:31.3 and the fastest female Catholic school teacher was Kristina Mazzone from St. Joseph School with a time of 24:10.7. St. Patirck’s School of Bayshore was awarded the St. Joseph’s Cup for having the best participation of an elementary school outside of the host school and the Island’s Catholic high schools were well represented with runners from Kellenberg, St. Mary’s, Chaminade, Our Lady of Mercy Academy, St. Francis Prep and Sacred Heart Academy all participating.
A post-race festival followed which included a face painter, arts and crafts, food and drink. There was even a special early appearance by the Easter Bunny. All children received a prize at the finish line. Thanks to sponsorships, donations and race registration, more than $26,000 was raised.
