More than 1,900 people participated in the Community Chest Thanksgiving Day Run this year. Runners and walkers of all ages were cheered on by family and friends on a mild and very pleasant Thanksgiving morning.
The overall male finisher for the day was Thomas Heinz (age 37) of Richmond Hill, NY, finishing the race is 28 minutes and 30 seconds. Joseph Kennedy of Woodside, NY finished second (28:40) and 16-year old Jimmy Luehrs of Reston, VA finished third (29:12). In the physically challenged (wheel chair division), top finisher for the day was Robert Somelofske of Smithtown.
Overall female winners for the day were Diane Bownes of Long Beach, NY (32:32), Amy Winger of Haddonfield, NJ (32:48) and Jacqueline Caulfield of Port Washington came in third (33:11).
In the boys age 12 and under group, Taro Katayma (32:38) of Port Washington placed first, Thomas Fruttard of Manhasset came in second and Michael Petty of Port Washington placed third.
In the girls age 12 and under group, Gabrielle Friedman of Sand Point finished first, Molly Alstodt of Port Washington finished second and Jenny Aguiar of Port Washington finished third.
In the male age 13-15 division, Ryo Nakamura of Syosset came in first, Leo Potters of Sands Point placed second and Henry Peltz of Port Washington finished third. In the female age 13-15 division, Jacqueline Reyes finished first, followed by Allegra Maldonado and Ashley Pollack, all of Port Washington.
In the male 16-19 division, the first place finisher was Eddie Grove, followed by Noah Bondy and Dean Goodspeed, all of Port Washington. In the female 16-19 division, top finishers were Meghan Burns of Port Washington, Mary Lofredo of Old Westbury and Bridgette McDermott of Port Washington.
Awards were given to the top three athletes, male and female, in age categories staring at 12 and topping off at 80 plus division– with 80-year old Joseph Fields finishing first in that division.
Timing and results were calculated by Finish Line Road Race Technicians. Results are posted on www.flrrt.com. In addition, race photos are available for purchase at www.islandphoto.com.
“This is truly a wonderful Port Washington community event, with outstanding participation from runners, sponsors, residents along the route and nearly 100 volunteers who helped to make it all possible,” said Allison Breidbart White, Executive Director of the Community Chest of Port Washington. “Proceeds from the Run will go to the Chest’s Annual Fund from which the Chest provides funds to over 20 organizations helping Port residents. With so many people in need in our community, this support is more important than ever.”
Co-sponsored by the Town of North Hempstead, the Community Chest Thanksgiving Day run received outstanding support and assistance from the Port Washington Police, Nassau County Police and Sands Point Police, the Port Washington paramedics, and the Villages of Manorhaven, Port Washington North and Sands Point.
“In addition, we had nearly 30 sponsors this year, including very generous support from the Slade Family Foundation, TD Bank, Pall Corporation, Cedar Shopping Centers, the Foye Family, Dejana Industires, Harding Real Estate and Met Life. We are grateful to all who contributed,” said Ms. White.
