This year’s second 5K run/walk that began at beautiful Steppingstone Park with sweeping views of Long Island Sound and wove its way through the villages of Kings Point and Great Neck was a great success. In the distance—and in the shadow of the Throgs Neck Bridge—stood the beneficiary of the event, the Stepping Stones Lighthouse, which is on its way toward restoration, thanks to all its champions.
Rob Murphy placed first in the men’s division, completing the course in 18:48.7, with last year’s 16-year-old first-place winner, Theo Chang, coming in at 18:50.8, topping last year’s time of 20:2. Third-place winner Jon Phelan finished at 20:09.3.
In the women’s division, Tami Secunda-Kramer of Great Neck won first place for the second year, coming at 23:36.1, beating last year’s time of 24:37. Elizabeth Sorenson won second place with a time of 23:47.1. Close behind was third-place winner Laura Derose at 24:05.4.
Robert Lincoln, chairman of the Committee to Save the Lighthouse, thanked all the people whose participation made the event possible. He noted that the day before the race a massive tree fell at the intersection of Steamboat and Kings Point roads—in the planned race route. A flurry of calls, including one to Lisanne Altmann at PSEG, resulted in the removal of the tree in record-breaking time, with the job finished by 10 p.m. on the night before the race.
He also thanked the Kings Point Police Department, under the leadership of Police Commissioner George Banville and Mayor Michael Kalnick for their “outstanding” cooperation throughout all stages of the planning and implementation. Their efforts were boosted by the Nassau County Police and the Auxiliary Police.
Lincoln praised the staff of the Great Neck Park District who were counted on for so many “nuts-and-bolts” issues before, during and after the race.
The Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company’s EMTs were present to cover any emergency situations; luckily, none occurred.
EventPower of Long Island, the professional organizers for the race, also received kudos for the smooth and safe workings of the event.
Lincoln thanked Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town of North Hempstead for their continuous support of the lighthouse project and for helping to publicize the event.
The Great Neck Historical Society and committee members were thanked for their efforts throughout the year.
A special thank you was shared with all of the event sponsors, including Alert Fire Company; Bagel Mentch; The Blaha Family; Blank Slate Media; FCE Group; Ira Ganzfried CPA, PC; Great Neck Diner; Great Neck Historical Society; Great Neck Park District; Great Neck South High School Students; Great Neck Teachers Association; Harris, Bloom & Archer LLP; Kennedy Elementary School Students; In Memory of Stephen and Betty Kollisch; James Levin; Robert Lincoln; Nemat Development & Homes; Norman Collision Works; North Shore Prosthodontics Associates; Saltlife Marine Service; Town of North Hempstead Vigilant Fire Company; Watersports, NYC; and Women’s Health and Wellness.
