The 43rd annual Port Washington Thanksgiving Day Run was the coldest Thanksgiving Day Run on record. Not only did the temperature reach 21 degrees, but the wind off Manhasset Bay, as runners hit mile four on Shore Road, made it feel like 8 degrees. That said, by 8:30 a.m., the sun was shining and runners, walkers and volunteers with warm hearts braved that bitter cold to help their neighbors in-need.
Town residents bundled up and cheered on their friends and family along the 5-mile route. The top male overall finisher was Port resident Aaron Siff-Scherr, age 19, who came in at 27:44. One second behind at 27:45, Brian Wersan of Holbrook placed second. Marco Bertolotti, 26, of Port Washington came in third at 28:12. The top two female overall finishers were from Port Washington. Placing first was Bianca Luparello, 23, at 32:17 and second Lucy Hurt, 18, at 33:01. Esther Lok of Woodbury came in third at 33:28.
Local residents finishing first in their age categories were Tommy McCarvill, 11 (36:26), Savannah Aarons, 12 (42:20), Matthew Scardigno, 15 (30:44), Lucia Rieppi, 14 (39:53), Jordan Hurt, 19 (28:33), Davida Harris, 18 (36:56), Alec Heyde, 21 (28:59), Amanda Edwards, 24 (36:23), Allison Rosenberg, 28 (34:57), Sean Hopkins, 35 (28:42), Jessica Bughman, 36 (38:42), Gareth John, 42 (32:54), Noni Degirmenci, 44 (35:13), Maura Mander, 45 (39:42), Kieran Owens, 52 (35:50), Ann Marie Fitzpatrick, 52 (36:30), Bernie Cunningham, 56 (39:21), Mark Heller, 64 (40:03), Bob Owens, 68 (39:56), Neil Robinson, 71 (52:58), Magda Olsen, 77 (1:20:33) and the most senior runner Vera Allen, 89 who finished at (1:35:05). Many locals finished top three in their age categories. For complete race results go to FLRRT.com.
The Community Chest and the Town of North Hempstead offer their congratulations and gratitude to all 2,918 participants. This year is the 43rd running of the Port Washington Thanksgiving Day Run, which is co-presented by The Community Chest of Port Washington and the Town of North Hempstead, with proceeds going to the Community Chest. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Community Chest, a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization whose mission is to give grants to charities helping the People of Port and provide below-market rent to charities, helping them fulfill their missions.
“We are grateful for the generosity of the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation and all our sponsors as well as the participation of the runners. Together they make helping our neighbors possible,” says Board President, Drew Hershkowitz.
He also notes that this year the Community Chest received hundreds of additional donations from participants and their friends and family as part of the Community Chest’s “Be A Charity Hero” campaign, to make this year’s event the most financially successful ever.
Jeanne Rizzo, Community Chest Events Coordinator spoke gratefully about all the helping hands, “having the assistance of the Schreiber High School Key Club, 120 community volunteers, Boy Scout Troop 7 and the support of the Town of North Hempstead is vital to the logistical success of the event.”
Extra effort from the Port Washington Police and Fire Medics, the Sands Point and Nassau County Police Departments, Nassau County Department of Public Works, the Town’s Parks Department, along with cooperation from the Villages of Manorhaven, Sands Point, Baxter Estates and Port Washington North make the Run possible. The Community Chest and the Town appreciate the patience of any and all residents of Port Washington who are inconvenienced on Thanksgiving morning.
Questions about the race should be addressed to the Community Chest of Port Washington at 767-2121 or jmeerharnick@portchest.org.
–Submitted by the Port Washington Community Chest
