More than $12,000 raised for CiC Foundation
Back in February, 2005 during an awards luncheon for Long Island Track and Field, Mark Leff, a Senior Manager with Cisco Systems, and Bob Cook, owner of the Runners Edge in Farmingdale, were talking about the possibility of putting on a race to support Companions in Courage Foundation (CiC), founded by Hockey Hall of Famer and former NY Islander and Ranger Pat LaFontaine.
Cook’s thought was to put on a 1-mile race. The belief was that it would be unique and would attract participants of all levels of capability. By June, 2005, North Fork Bank and Dr. Larry Lembo, a Farmingdale Chiropractor, were among the very first sponsors. During Labor Day weekend of 2005, the very first Runners Edge Main Street Mile was held, it attracted 180 participants and $3,000 was raised for CiC.
A lot has changed since then. This great event has grown significantly and has become a Labor Day tradition on Farmingdale over the last 13 years and one of CiC’s most anticipated events of the year. It now attracts over 500 participants each year. And over the last 13 years, The Runners Edge Main Street Mile has raised over $140,000 to support the great work that CiC does.
On Saturday, Sept. 2, the 13th annual Runners Edge Main Street Mile and Fundraiser for Companions in Courage Foundation (CIC) was held. Over the years, a post race fundraiser which was once again held at the Nutty Irishman, which is located right near the finish line, has also become part of the festivities. The weather was a bit on the chilly side in the morning, but as the sun rose, it was perfect for the event. Once again, over 500 registrants took part and helped to raise over $12,000 to benefit CiC.
Much of the success was also due to the generosity of our sponsors that included Bob Cook, owner of the Runners Edge and presenting sponsor. Major sponsors once again included Farmingdale Chiropractor Dr. Larry Lembo, who was also the race starter this year. In addition, the Farmingdale based law firm of Carman, Callhan and Ingham, the Melville based law firm of Carter, Deluca, Farrell and Schmidt, Cisco Systems, The Nutty Irishman, Saucony (who generous donated all race shirts), Stamford Connecticut based Horizon Paper, Race Awesome,Sunpower Solar Energy Systems. Syosset based David Lerner and Associates (sponsor of the post race fundraiser at the Nutty Irishman), Plainview based B&G Group, John and Ellen Ward and 103.1 MAX FM were also major sponsors. The co-race directors were Bob Cook, owner of the Runners Edge and Mark Leff of Cisco Systems, along with the race committee of Mindy Davidson of the Greater Long Island Running Club and BOCES, Eric Bressler of Wikham, Bressler, and Geasa, Craig Gluf of Universal Photonics and Jim Johnson, Executive Director of Companions in Courage.
The race finished in front of the Farmingdale Firehouse and Village Hall, with the post race awards ceremony taking place at in back of The Nutty Irishman. There were 449 finishers in the race, 85 of them from Farmingdale, 27 from Massapequa and Massapequa Park and many from surrounding local towns such as Bethpage, Seaford, Wantagh and as far away as Santa Monica, California!
The event has strong local representation with other sponsors that included Farmingdale Village Trustee Dr. Walter Priestley who once again generously sponsored 42 members of the Farmingdale Cross Country Team, The Library Café of Farmingdale; Dr. Jospeh Ciaccio, DDS of Hewlett, NY; Babylon Bike Shop, Bill Romas, LMT; The Greater Long Island Running Club, Polar USA (who very generously donated heart rate monitors to the raffle), Arizona Iced Tea (who donated all the water at the finish line), Anton Media Group of Mineola, Mario’s Pizzeria in Massapequa, Stew Leonards and Stew Leonards Wine Shop in Farmingdale, Uncle Giuseppe’s in Massapequa, Palmers American Grill, and Bottles on Broadway in Massapequa. And very special recognition and thanks goes to PC Richard and Son who donated the 49 inch big screen TV that was one of the grand raffle prizes at the post race fundraiser as well as a VIP pass generously donated by Race Awesome for all their 2018 races.
There was also a kid’s fun run where the younger participants run a quarter-mile up and down Main Street and 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.
Pat LaFontaine, one of Hockey’s Top-100 all-time players and the founder of Companions in Courage Foundation said, “Over the last 13 years, The Runner’s Edge Main Street Mile has become the perfect way for Long Island families to cap off their summer. Whether you are an elite runner or someone hitting the street for the first time ever, it produces smiles and good will. Our race committee is superb and they are responsible for organizing our generous sponsors in a way that helps local pediatric patients and their families. The results of this event are shared with more than 60,000 pediatric patients across North America, and it brings a smile to THEIR faces too!”
Dignitaries in attendance included Oyster Bay Councilman Tom Hand, who presented citations to some very deserving supporters of CiC on behalf of Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Farmingdale Village Administrator. In addition, Brian Harty, the Farmingdale Village Administrator was also on hand as was Pat LaFontaine, former NY Islander and National Hockey League Hall of Famer.
LaFontaine made a very special presentation during the awards ceremony, presenting long time supporter and major sponsor for the Runners Edge Main Street Mile Dr. Larry Lembo with “The Decade Award.” Dr. Lembo has been a supporter and sponsor for all 13 years of the event. Unable to attend but also getting well deserved acknowledgement was Ned Meagher, partner in the law firm of Carter, Farrell, DeLuca and Schmidt, was also a recipient of the award for 10 years of support.
“We have been blessed over the last decade to have had a couple of local businesses support us every step of the way. Some sincere “stick taps” go out to our friends, chiropractor Dr. Larry Lembo and Ned Meagher of Carter, DeLuca, Farrell and Schmidt,” said LaFontaine. “Their ongoing support of this event allows our foundation to continue connecting pediatric patients with their family, classmates and heroes.”
“I am very honored to be part of this great event,” said Dr. Larry Lembo, Farmingdale Chiropractor and major sponsor. “This is all about bringing our community together to support the great work Pat LaFontaine does for Children’s Hospitals. I am very pleased to see how much this great event has grown over the years and look forward continued great success.”
Doing the race announcing was “the voice of Long Island racing” Terry Bisogno. Race timing was provided by PRTiming of New Paltz, NY. The finish line and much of the race logistics were provided by Corey Roberts of Race Awesome of Seaford.
Jim Johnson, executive director of Companions in Courage Foundation said, “it is so inspiring to see athletes of EVERY level competing in this family-friendly event—that benefits families in need. Our stellar race committee has assembled a group of very special sponsors and partners. Race Awesome makes sure that the finishers of our one mile event cross the Finish Line under an arch that is worthy of an Ironman Triathlon! It’s just one more way it let’s everyone know just how special this event really is.”
The race was followed by the special fundraising event at The Nutty Irishman, who generously donated their space with a buffet all the participants. The festivities also included a performance from the SPITunes, a band lead by Companions in Courage Executive Director Jim Johnson. There was also the biggest raffle the event has ever held with numerous prizes that included a 49 inch big screen TV donated by PC Richard and Son, a Schwinn Cruiser Bike donated by Babylon Bike, a Sony Playstation 4, a Race Awesome VIP pass for all 2018 races, and many other numerous prizes and gift certificates that also included an autographed stick from Pat LaFontaine. The MC for the event was The Wiseman of 103.1 MAX FM Radio who wore his infamous beanie! He lent so much energy to the event. He even played some hockey trivia games with some of the participants! The Main Street Mile once again produced great performances for both the men and women.
The men’s open division (under 40 years of age) was won by Joseph Grieco of Massapegua won 4:22, followed by Jonathan Afanador of Patchogue 4:29 and Sean Mahon of Merrick, last year’s winner, 4:33.
In the men’s master’s division, Boyd Carrington of West Islip won in a time of 4:28, followed by Paul Curtis of Lynbrook in 4:42 and Earl Penney of Glen Head in 5:05.
In the women’s open division, Rolanda Bell of Laurelton won it is a time of 4:56.. She was followed by Jen Dagan of Farmingdale in 4:57 and Victoria Kornieva-Robitaille of Amityville 4:58.
In the women’s masters division, Lauren Jasinski of Cold Spring Harbor won it in 05:15. She was followed by Vivien Lim of Great Neck in 5:41 and Martha Delgado of Central Islip in 5:45
The wheelchair division was once again won by Peter Hawkins of Malverne in 3:24.
There were also great performances from some of the younger participants. This included those age 10 year younger including Lana Jewett of Bellmore in 6:29, Aislinng Frazer of Wantagh in 6:30, Jack Brosnan of Farmingdale in 6:35, Brendan Ramirez of Wantagh in 6:40, Madison Howlley of West Islip in 6:52, and Sean Ihm of Lindenhurst 6:53.
The race’s oldest finisher was 90 year old Bert Jablon of Syosset. In honor of Bill Benson, a well known and loved member of the running community who was beloved at past Main Street Mile events and who passed away on last year at the age of 97, the “Bill Benson Memorial Award” award awarded to Bert Jablon as the races oldest finisher for the 2nd straight year. Also a notable performance came from Virginia Guichard of Melville who finished in 22:19 in the 80-84 year old division.
There were 85 Farmingdale residents who participated and fared well in the race. Top finishers included Jen Dagan for the women and Patrick Smyth for the men. Other Farmingdale finishers included Anthony Diaz, Justin Thomas, Emilio Diaz, Steve Waters, Sean Murtha, Connor Fawcett, Carin Murtha, Gavin Rogers, Thomas Geddes, Joe Picini, Leann Nicholas, Angelo Brussich, Kelly Bergersen, Christine Gilleran, Davina Gyedu, Ariana Diaz, Brian Fitzgerald, Toniann Penna, William Coleman, Sean Rea, Sofia Khalek, Kyra Akley, Jack Brosnan, Stephen Kessler, Hannah Wenzel, Ryana Tortoso, Chris Unger, Kaitie Sutherland, Matthew Oppedisano, Victoria Pizzarelli, Elizabeth Kaufmann, Logan Beringer, Julia Kisilinsky, Aidan Hamilton, Dylan Coleman, Bill Wenzel, Joseph Kessler, Kelly Palandro, Alexa Pereira,, Kelsey Gallagher, Teigan Sunde, Shuana Champagnie, Jacqueline Franco, Jake Amato, Robert Hayden, Jacob Zietek, Rebecca Rogers, Chris Akley, Shawn Rogers, Keira Hayden, Alexandra Barilla, Meredith, Beringer, Mary Anne Goldman, Chris Oppedisano, Katelyn Moloney, Tara Syrett, Isha, Hamilton,Tara Coleman, Walter Buser, Elizabeth Russo, Tina Tortoso, Jess Freitay, Allison Schmidt, Paula Scovelli, Kayla Hayden, Lori Hayden, Theresa Kessler, Patty Johnson, Joan Ackerman, Debbie Amato, Gary Abrahamsen, Dan Kessler, Kathleen Love, Terri-Ann Kessler, Frederick Benlein, Helen Kappel, Cuinn Sunde, Samantha Leroy, Peter Johnson Jr, John Russo, Lauren Licata and Adam Bruzzese.
Massapequa and Massapequa Park residents were represented by 27 participants that included Shannon Batt, Kevin Galante, men’s open and overall winner Joseph Grieco, Sean Dooley, his sister Shannon Dooley and their father Jim Dooley, Michael Ponzio, Thomas McNally, Kimberly Fields, Jillian Johnson, Alyssa Fields, Tiffany Blatz, Jonathan Fields, Robert Mongitore, Joe Badalamenti, Rena Michaels, Anna Decker, Savanna Spadalik, Grace Serpe, Grace Mohlin, Cara Keogh, James Fischer, Kimberly Sturges, Joanne Garcia, Christine Poplawski, Monica Enright, John Cafarella, Vincent Corrado, Helen Arnold, Patricia Hedderson, Alyse Batt, Lois Bentivegna, Glenn Morse, William O’Brien, Ashley Minns, Colm Smith, Jack Rhein, Frank Vereline, Michael Corsi, Sal Nastasi and John Nora.
There were also 38 participants from the RunStart program, which is sponsored by the Greater Long Island Running Club and Runners Edge to help introduce new runners how to train, with the Runners Edge Main Street Mile being one of the races the members of this program train to take part in. Debbie Blair and Bob Cook are to be thanked for their efforts with this group.
Proceeds from the race go towards LaFontaine’s non-profit organization Companions in Courage (CiC). As seen at www.cic16.org, CiC’s raises funds to build interactive playrooms in children’s hospitals throughout North America. Through innovative communications tools, these playrooms are meant to replace the isolation of a hospital with a connection to family, friends and celebrities during their hospital stay. This effort paves the way for their motto, “No child in the fight for life or health should ever have to go it alone.”
The rooms, dubbed “the Lion’s Den,” have state-of-the-art technology from Cisco Systems, Microsoft and Google. Patients receive a “smart” card when they check into the hospital, identifying them as members of a special community with unique privileges. The key is an ID device that allows each child to personalize their experience within the Lion’s Den room with activities such as web surfing, video game playing and video-conferencing. Lion’s Den playrooms in the NY area include one at Huntington Hospital, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC, Maria Fareri Chidren’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY, Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, and the most recent one being at Cohen’s Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park.
The proceeds from this event will go a long way towards helping children and their families in their time of need given the great work done by CiC. This is inclusive of a CiC initiative known as “Santa Connection,” a way to bring live and personal Santa visits to children in numerous hospitals around the US and Canada this coming December using video conference capabilities from Google. This event will once again will be hosted at Google’s YouTube Studios in NYC this coming December. There are also plans to once again have the Heisman Trophy winner do Children Hospital visits via a Google video conference, known as a “hangout” this coming December as well. Past Heisman Trophy winner visits have included Robert Griffin III, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.
“Companion’s in Courage is doing some of the most important work in our community to support children while they are in the hospital,” said Keith Washington, CEO of TVR Communications and a member of CiC’s Technology Advisory Board. “The proceeds will support the great work CiC does to help make each child feel special as they get their treatment in the healthcare system. Today each participant in the Runners Edge Main Street Mile was made to feel special as well. I enjoyed everything about event and was grateful for the opportunity to share this memorable experience with several of my colleagues and their families. I can’t wait to invite more people again next year.”
“I think about how far this event has come over the last 13 years,” said co-race director Mark Leff of Cisco Systems and lead for the CiC Technology Advisory Board. “I think about how today prominent leaders and business people in the Farmingdale community have come together to make this event special and first class in every respect. Bob Cook from Runners Edge with his hard work and support, Dr. Larry Lembo with great support for all 13 years, Greg Carman and his law firm seeing the importance of this great cause and for the community. Dr. Walter Priestley with his generous support of the participation of the Farmingdale Cross Country team. Joe Fortuna for making the Nutty Irishman available and for his great hospitality. But most importantly, the support of the Farmingdale Village Administration as well as the Nassau County Police and Auxiliary Police. Brian Harty and his entire team were phenomenal as they are every year. I also think its important to give special thanks to Captain Tim Devlin of the MTA Police for their support. This event means so much to the community as well as so the children all the participants helped support in Children’s Hospitals all over the US and Canada. What a great example of bringing the community together for a great cause. And how about that finish line setup by Corey Roberts and Race Awesome? They deserve a huge thanks! Finally, I can’t thank our sponsors enough for their generosity and support. This event keeps getting better every year. It’s a great team effort; this is not possible without an incredible race committee, volunteers and sponsors.”
For more information on Companions in Courage, visit www.cic16.org.
For more information on the Main Street Mile, visit their Facebook at www.facebook.com/MainStreetMileFarmingdaleCiC, which is loaded with information and photos from the race and the post-race fundraiser.
