Runner’s Edge Main Street Mile Tabbed ‘Huge Success’

Sets records for runners, fundraising

The 12th annual Runner’s Edge Main Street Mile was held in Farmingdale on Sept 3. This Labor Day weekend tradition supports the work done by Companions in Courage Foundation (CiC), founded by Hockey Hall of Famer and former Islander and Ranger Pat LaFontaine. The run produced records for participants (517) and raised $12,000 to benefit CiC. LaFontaine, who annually participates in the event, finished in a time of 8 minutes, 18 seconds.

Members of the Farmingdale High School cross country team run the event annualy. The squad was sponsored by Farmingdale chiropractor and Village Trustee Dr. Walter Priestley. — Members of the Farmingdale High School cross country team run the event every year. The squad was sponsored by Farmingdale chiropractor and Village Trustee Dr. Walter Priestley.

“It’s always an honor to see the Long Island community come together to help those in need,” LaFontaine said. “Thanks to a lot of hard work by the committee members, the Main Street Mile has become a great way for families to celebrate the start of the Labor Day weekend and to make a difference in the lives of sick kids in children’s hospitals. As one mom said to me, ‘Kids in hospitals never have a holiday.’ ”

Wheelchair champion Pete Hawkins with Pat LaFontaine and well wishers at the Nutty Irishman. — Wheelchair champion Pete Hawkins, seated at right, with Pat LaFontaine and well wishers at the Nutty Irishman.

CiC raises funds to build interactive playrooms in children’s hospitals throughout North America, giving childrn a connection to family, friends and celebrities during their hospital stay. Visit www.cic16.org.

The finish line was in front of the Farmingdale Firehouse and Village Hall, with the post-race awards ceremony taking place at the Gazebo on the Village Green. The team from Race Awesome provided an incredible finish-line experience. Sixty-seven of the runners were from Farmingdale, 30 from Massapequa and Massapequa Park and many from surrounding local towns such as Bethpage, Seaford and Wantagh.

Dignitaries in attendance included New York State Assemblyman Joseph Saladino, Farmingdale Village Administrator Brian Harty, Deputy Mayor Pat Christensen and Trustee Cheryl Parisi.

Hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine congratulatesf Bert Jablon, 89, for earning the Bill Benson award, honoring the memory of a man who meant so much to the community and to LaFontaine himself. At far left is Assemblyman Joe Saladino with members of the race committee. — Pat LaFontaine, far right, and members of the race committee congratulated Bert Jablon, 89, for earning the Bill Benson award, honoring the memory of a man who meant so much to the community and to LaFontaine himself. At far left is Assemblyman Joe Saladino.

The race was followed by a special fundraising event at The Nutty Irishman, which generously donated its space with food and drink for all the participants. The festivities also included a performance from the SPITunes, a band lead by CiC Executive Director Jim Johnson. The emcee for the event was Ralph Tortora of 103.1 MAX FM Radio.

Jen Dagan of Farmingdale placed second in the women's division. — Jen Dagan of Farmingdale placed second in the women’s division.

The men’s open division (under 40 years of age) was won by Sean Mahon of Merrick in 4:26, followed by Boyd Carrington of Amityville in 4:36 and Bill Buith of Garden City in 4:40.

In the men’s masters division, Robis Degimenci of Port Washington won in a time of 4:52, followed by Tommy Nettuno of Babylon in 5:13 and Todd Rowley of Huntington in 5:14.

Farmingdale officials on hand were Village Clerk/Manager Brian Harty and trustees Cheryl Parisi and Pat Christensen.

In the women’s open division, Lianne Farber of Sacramento, CA, won in a time of 4:42, followed by Jen Dagan of Farmingdale in 4:59 and Victoria Korrieva-Robitaille of Amityville in 5:00.

In the women’s masters division, Una Broderick of Wantagh won in a time of 5:38, followed by Noni Degimenci of Port Washington in 5:46 and Misty Meisheimer of Wauwatosa, WI, in 5:54.

There were also great performances from some of the younger participants, including Aiden Ke in 5:54, Marisa McDougall in 6:24 and Leo Votruba in 6:32. All three were 10-years-old.

Members of the "Runstart" team, a group of beginner runners coached by Bob Cook of Runners Edge and Debbie Blair of the Greater Long Island Running Club. They turned out close to 60 participants and race organizers loved their energy and passion. — Members of the “Runstart” team, a group of beginner runners coached by Bob Cook of Runners Edge and Debbie Blair of the Greater Long Island Running Club. They turned out close to 60 participants and race organizers loved their energy and passion.

Eighty-nine-year-old Bert Jablon of Syosset earned the Bill Benson Memorial Award as the race’s oldest finisher. Benson was a well-known member of the running community, a familiar figure at past Main Street Mile events who passed away on July 16 at the age of 97.

“We really enjoy this event, Pat was a very gracious host, and it’s our pleasure to support his incredible work for such a great cause as we have every year of the event from day one for the past 12 years,” said Farmingdale chiropractor Dr. Larry Lembo, one of the major sponsors of the event.

Members of the Greater Long Island Running Club gather before the race.

Plans are in he works for LaFontaine to personally honor Cook and Lembo in the near future for their great support over the 12 years of this event.

“We are very appreciative for the support and generosity we received from our sponsors and participants. I especially want to call out race co-director Bob Cook of Runner’s Edge, Dr. Larry Lembo and the Nutty Irishman, and all our sponsors for their incredible support,” said race co-director Mark Leff of Cisco Systems, which supplies networking for the CiC hospital rooms.

From left, Emily, Alice and race director Mark Leff.

Sponsors included the Melville-based law firm of Carter, Deluca, Farrell and Schmidt, Cisco Systems and Farmingdale chiropractor Dr. Larry Lembo. Other title sponsors who contributed included The Nutty Irishman, 103.1 MAX FM Radio, Horizon Paper, law firm of Carman, Callhan and Ingham. Saucony donated the race shirts and finish line arch. Others include the Library Café of Farmingdale; Dr. Joseph Ciaccio, DDS, of Hewlett; Babylon Bike Shop; Bill Romas, LMT; the Greater Long Island Running Club; Polar USA; Mario’s Pizzeria in Massapequa; Stew Leonard’s and Stew Leonard’s Wine Shop in Farmingdale; Uncle Giuseppe’s in Massapequa; Brickwell Cycling in Farmingdale; Palmer’s American Grill; Bottles on Broadway in Massapequa; and Arizona Iced Tea, who donated all the water for the race. Participants in the Kids Fun Run received medals and free ice cream from McDonalds’s on Route 109 in Farmingdale. This year’s official race photographers were Island Photography of Port Washington and Joel Harris Photography of Mineola.

For more information and additional photos on the Main Street Mile, visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/MainStreetMileFarmingdaleCiC. Race results are available at PRTiming.com.

—Submitted by Mark Leff | Photos by Joel Harris Photography