On Thanksgiving morning, November 24th, 2,877 people participated in the 36th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5 Mile Run, organized by the Community Chest of Port Washington (the “Chest”). The event – beginning with an early morning Yoga Stretch courtesy of Port businesses Om Sweet Om Yoga and Yoga Life –raised approximately $75,000, which will be disbursed as grants to Chest supported organizations. On a bright and beautiful, fall morning, runners and walkers were cheered on by family and friends throughout town, starting and finishing at Manorhaven Park.
5 Mile Run Results
The overall male winner for the day was 17-year-old Taylor Titcomb, who finished in 27 minutes, 29 seconds (27:29) for a 5 minute, 30 second per mile (5:30) pace. A product of Port Washington, Titcomb is the reigning Class AA Nassau County Champion, and currently the fastest senior in the County. A serious road racer for years, he was Nassau County’s 8th grade Champion back in 2007, and the only Schreiber athlete to ever run four straight years at the State Meet.
In second place overall on the men’s side was 34-year-old Joseph Degutis of Port Jefferson (in 27:46, for a 5:34 pace).
The men’s third Place overall finisher was Marco Bertolotti (27:51, 5:34), age 19, from Port Washington. Bertolotti holds every distance record in Schreiber High School history, including the 800 meter, 1600, 3200, 4K and 5K. He also holds the sophomore record in the 1000 meter at the New York City Armory. He is a two-time Nassau County Cross Country Champion, a six-time All State runner and currently runs (and studies) at Stanford University in California. Bertolotti placed first in the men’s overall category at the Thanksgiving Day Run last year.
On the women’s side, the overall top finisher was Kathryn Martin of Northport, age 60, who finished in 32:23, for a pace of 6:29. Second place overall went to Port Washington resident Jacqueline Caufield, age 47; she finished in 33:31, a pace of 6:43. Melissa Moschetto of Long Beach, a 30-year-old, placed third overall with a time of 33:47 (pace 6:46).
In the boys 12 and under group, Aaron Siff-Scherr, age 12 placed first (31:55); John Finkbeiner, age 12 came in second (32:57); and Joseph Levine, age 12 placed third (33:09) – all are from Port Washington and all run for Weber’s cross country team. In the girls 12 and under group, Maddi Jester age 11, of Port Washington, finished first (38:28); Cassie Scandalios, age 12, also of Port Washington, placed second (39:58); and Ashley Lesser, age 12 of Roslyn Heights, came in third (42:40).
There were male and female winners in over 30 other age-based groups, as well as a category for physically challenged athletes. Runners were grouped with their peers within four- or five-year age categories, except for the youngest runners, who had to compete within the biggest age range – twelve and under. The oldest runners completing the course were Joseph Fields of Manhasset and Vera Allen of Port Washington, both 82.
Comprehensive List of Finishing Times, Photos, and Award-Winner Plaques
All participants’ finish and pace times are posted at www.FLRRT.com, the website of Finish Line Road Race Technicians, which is headed by Port Washington resident and onetime Weber Middle School teacher David Katz. Photos of the event can also be viewed or purchased at www.islandphoto.com by clicking on the Race menu and then selecting the Port Washington Thanksgiving Day Run. Plaques honoring the top three finishers, male and female in each age group are available, and can be picked up at the Chest, 382 Main Street in Port Washington. Honorees should call the Chest to arrange a time to pick up their plaques.
One-Mile Invitational Run Results
In addition to the main event, the Chest organized a One-Mile Invitational Run for children in the running programs at Port Washington Elementary Schools. Almost 20 children, mostly in grades 4-5, took part with top honors going to:
• Lily Dell (of Manorhaven Elementary School) in 1st place with a time of 13:32
• Samuel Nachinson (of Salem Elementary School) in 2nd place with a time of 13:34, and
• Piper Woods (of John Philip Sousa Elementary School) in 3rd place with a time of 13:42.
A Community-Wide Effort
As in years past, the 2011 Thanksgiving Day Run was truly a community-wide effort, made possible by more than 100 local volunteers – 40 members of the Schreiber Key Club, 50 other local residents (including a dozen additional students), and members of the Chest board of directors. Just one of their duties was to distribute refreshments and other “swag” made possible by the event’s sponsors, which included: 2,600 bottles of water 1,500 apples, 160 gallons of unbottled water and discount coupons (all courtesy of Douglaston Fairway Market), 700 bottles of Arizona Vapor Water (courtesy of Arizona Beverages), 2,700 Packages of California Dried Plums and 3,000 Sample bags of Zeasorb® runner’s powder.
Sponsors
More than 30 corporate, professional and individual sponsors supported this year’s event. They were:
Platinum Sponsor ($5,000): The Slade Family Foundation.
Gold Sponsor ($2,500): Fairway Market.
Silver Sponsors ($1,000): Arizona Beverages, Dejana Industries, Harding Real Estate, Shake-N-Go Fashion, Port Washington Diner.
Bronze Sponsors ($500): The Amsterdam at Harborside, Arena Sport and Graphics, Astoria Federal Savings, Bott’s Service Center, Citibank, N.A., Councilman Fred Pollack, Cow Bay Contracting, Footlocker, Gail’s Stride Rite, Gold Coast Family Dental, Gulfway Marine, K.C. AutoMarineGroup, Massage Envy, Minuteman Press of Port Washington, George & Joan Nahas and Nahas Family, NY Environmental, Om Sweet Om Yoga, Partners for Access, Port Washington Federal Credit Union, Ruben Smile Designs, Sands Point Center for Health & Rehabilitation, Schmergel Enterprises, Vastgood Properties, LLC, The Wedding Company, and Yoga Life
Mile Marker Sponsors ($250): Brewer Capri Marina, Hefferin Tree & Landscape, Zelik Ziegelbaum, RPT
About the Port Washington Community Chest and the Thanksgiving Day Run
The Community Chest of Port Washington is an established, non-profit organization, active for more than 60 years, whose mission is to raise and distribute funds to charities dedicated to improving the lives of Port Washington residents. Donations to the Chest are distributed to 24 carefully-screened, not-for-profit organizations that provide a wide range of services benefitting approximately one in four persons in Port Washington. The Chest, in cooperation with the Town of North Hempstead, has been presenting the Thanksgiving Day Run for 10 years. All race proceeds go directly to the Community Chest of Port Washington.