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Long Island Marathon
Coronavirus pandemic updates Long Island Marathon slated for the fall
By Brian Stieglitz
The Jovia 2020 Long Island Marathon, named after its title sponsor, kicks off at Eisenhower Park and sends runners into local communities and business districts and through county parks. Typically hosted each May, this year’s event was postponed to Oct. 2-4 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Named after its new title sponsor, the Jovia Financial Credit Union — formerly NEFCU — and in its second year with a new course, the marathon, which begins and ends in Eisenhower Park, is one of Long Island’s best-known running events.
Thousands of runners compete in the marathon or one of four shorter races. Last year it saw a new route, among other additions such as a partnership with a smartphone application that allows spectators to live-track their friends and family members who are competing.
There will be a number of changes this year to comply with pandemic guidelines. There is supposed to be 5K run on Friday, Oct. 2, a 10K on Saturday and a 13.1-mile half marathon on Sunday. There will be no full marathon or 35.5-mile challenge, however, and athletes will have the option of transferring their entries to a 22.4-mile challenge (all three remaining races). There will be no additional fees to do so for those who signed up for the full marathon, and runners who signed up for the 35.5-mile challenge and take part in the shorter combined challenge will receive a refund of $15, the price difference.
Athletes who cannot participate on the new dates can either have their entries rolled over to the 2021 race, at no additional cost, or take part in a virtual race. Those who choose the latter will receive marathon “swag” and can upload their race results online. Other than the above, there will be no refunds.
The county Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums previously oversaw the race before Corey Roberts, of the Baldwin-based company Race Awesome, won the bid to become the race director for the 2019 event. He said that the race hadn’t had a makeover in decades and his goal was to make the race most exciting for runners and spectators.
The marathon dates back to the inaugural Macombs Dam Park Marathon in the Bronx in 1958. That race was later renamed the Cherry Tree Marathon, but continued to be run in the Bronx until 1970, when it moved to Central Park. It was later named the Earth Day Marathon, and eventually moved from Manhattan to Roosevelt Raceway, and then to Eisenhower Park.
In addition to its running events, today it also includes the Long Island Fitness and Health Expo and the marathon’s own Food Truck Festival. The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce also sets up shop at the festival and greeted residents and runners.
Roberts, a native of Australia who co-owns Race Awesome with his wife, Stacey. His goal in changing the course was to treat runners to the scenery of county parks and give spectators more opportunities to cheer on friends and family members as they run through local business districts.
Race Awesome names a main beneficiary at all of its events, and dedicated the 2019 Long Island Marathon to Friends of Karen, an area nonprofit that provides services to families of critically ill children.
The 2019 winner was Dan Gargaro, of West Islip, and Alyssa Salese, of Huntington, was the first female finisher. Peter Hawkins, 54, of Malverne, remained the winner of the wheelchair marathon.
Winning the half-marathon was Erick Obdulio Chavez Chox with Lori Brown as the first female finisher. And Patrick Smyth placed first in the 10K race and Michele Walker, of Massapequa, finished first out of the women competing.
Places of WORSHIP
Photos By, Brian Stieglitz/Herald The Rev. Chris McNabb, of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Bellmore, greeted congregants as they left the sanctuary of St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church in East Meadow, which hosted the East Meadow Clergy Association’s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service last Nov. 23.
Calvary Lutheran Church
36 Taylor Ave., East Meadow 735-1473 Pastor: Vicar Anthony Giordano
Christ Alive Church
493 E. Meadow Ave., East Meadow 794-4291
Pastor: Christian Preda
Christ the King Episcopal Church
2408 Fifth St., East Meadow The Rev. Christopher Sigamony
Community Reform Temple
18 Tobe Lane, Jericho 333-1839 Rabbi: Judith Cohen-Rosenberg
Crossbridge Church
600 Bob Reed Lane, Westbury 334-1832 Pastor: Terry Wiese
East Meadow Jewish Center
1400 Prospect Ave., East Meadow 483-4205 Rabbi: Ronald L. Androphy
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
369 Green Ave., East Meadow 483-3649 The Rev. Martin G. Kraus www.htocem.org
Long Island Muslim Society
475 East Meadow Ave. East Meadow 357-9060
President:
Mohammad Amzad Hussain M.D.
New Covenant Church
New Hope Church
675 Brookside Court, Westbury 726-2288 The Rev. Dan Olson
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
720 Merrick Ave. North Merrick 379-1356 Reverand Stephen Brigandi Jr.
A crowded gymnasium roared with applause and cheered on the teams competing in the 13th annual Winter Classic at St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church, in East Meadow. From Feb. 13 through 23, hundreds of athletes competed on roughly 40 teams from parishes across Long Island.
St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church
St. Francis Polish National Catholic Church
1752 Harton Ave., East Meadow 794-5189 The Rev. Andrzej Koterba St. Raphael’s
Roman Catholic Church
600 Newbridge Road, East Meadow 785-0236 Pastor Robert A. Holz
Temple B’nai Torah
2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh 221-2370 Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum
Temple Israel of South Merrick
2655 Clubhouse Road, Merrick 11566 378-1963 Rabbi Scott Hoffman
Temple Sholom
United Methodist Church
470 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow 794-5855 The Rev. Dorett Johnson-Agu
Religious Groups Knights of Columbus, Pope Pius XII Council 4422
P.O. Box 507, East Meadow 781-5852 Chaplain: Fr. Robert Holz East Meadow
Simcha Hadassah Chapter
766-2725 President: Selma Weiss
75 Post Ave., Westbury 334-0021 ext. 108 Director: Joan Echausse
