The fourth annual Katie’s Run in New Hyde Park last Sunday set records for participation among 5K runners and two-mile walkers, event organizers said.
The event, which is held each year to honor the memory of young cancer victim Katie McBride and raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House, saw 483 runners cross the finish line in New Hyde Park Memorial Park, according to Michael McBride, the head of the Katie McBride Foundation and Katie’s father.
That compared to 458 runners last year and does not include the 200 walkers who joined them at the Lakeville Road starting line.
“It’s wonderful,” McBride said of the response to the event. “It’s people just helping remember Katie through acts of kindness and charity. That’s what today’s event is all about.”
McBride, who is director of the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, said the foundation raised $15,000 last year and has raised $41,000 for the Ronald McDonald House over the past three years.
McBride began the event after his daughter, Katie, succumbed to a rare cancer known as Burkitt’s Lymphoma in 2008 at age 11.
Chaminade alumnus Patrick McBride, who was among the runners, said, “It’s exciting. Everybody pitches in. It’s a good thing. It brings everybody together.”
Among those pitching in were members of the New Hyde Park Fire Department, who grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for the runners near the finishing line in New Hyde Park Memorial Park.
Food at the event was donated by the Sakowich family from the Inn at New Hyde Park. Other sponsors included Hall Carpet, which provided tents, tables and chairs, City Line Florist, which donated flowers for the female winners, the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, the New Hyde Park Gladiator Fund and the Sons of Italy Cellini Lodge.
After the runners and the walkers reached the finish line in Memorial Park, approximately 50 youngsters participated in the Ronald McDonald Fun Run, winning blue medallions emblazoned with the Katie Run’s logo on blue-and-white ribbons which they word with evident pride for their efforts.
“It’s another day when everybody can get together and celebrate as a community and lend support for a great cause,” said Village of New Hyde Park Mayor Robert Lofaro.
Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) said, “It’s one of the few events of the year where the entire community comes out.”
“If you can turn a loss into something that can help other people, that’s really powerful,” added Stewart Small, a board member of the New Hyde Park Chamber.
The overall winner of the 5K for the second straight year was Chaminade alumnus Ryan McDermott, who finished in 17 minutes, 24 seconds. He said he had come out to support family friend Michael McBride and honor Katie’s memory.
SUNY- New Paltz senior Amanda Wolfer finished first among the women runners with a time of 19:32.
The winner among New Hyde Park women runners was Leslie Hiller, vice president of Nassau Police Running Club who competes with the Greater Long Island Running Club. She finished with a time of 22:40.
“I’m honored to run. It’s really awesome,” Hiller said.
During ceremonies honoring the winning runners, McBride presented a plaque to members of Reid Sakowich, owner of the Inn at New Hyde Park and Sakowich Plumbing, and the Sakowich family for their support of the event.
He also commended Tom Biggers, president of the New York Police Department Runners Club, who has helped McBride organize event each year.
Joseph Smolenski, owner of the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, was honored with a presentation from the Ronald McDonald House in recognition of his role and the continuing support for the house from the Katie McBride Foundation.
“We’re very privileged to have the McBride Foundation take us under their wing,” said Michael Pfeiffer, development officer for the Ronald McDonald House.
This year the McBride Foundation presented three $1,000 college scholarships: to Chaminade senior Domenick Fazzolari, who will be attending Fordham University in the fall; to Jordan Duprey, the sacristan at St. Peter the Apostle Church in East Islip where Katie had been an altar server; and to Grace Revello, a senior at East Islip High School – the same school that Katie McBride would have attended. Duprey is attending Stanford University in the fall. Revello, will be attending Cornell University in the fall.
Members of the Fordham University varsity basketball team competed in the event in support of Katie’s other brother, Michael McBride, who was manager for the Fordham team before he graduated in December.
“Mike was like a brother to me,” said Fordham basketball player Khalid Robinson. “It’s a great time and a great cause. We like supporting Mike and his family.”
