At 6:35 PM on Wednesday November 22nd, the 2017 Thanksgiving Day Run was sold out, causing both gratitude and heartache for the Community Chest of Port Washington who co-presents the race with the Town of North Hempstead.
“For safety reasons and to limit the street closure times, the police cap our race at 3,000,” said Julie Meer Harnick, Community Chest Executive Director. “We know that on average 100 participants register but do not show up on race day, so we allowed 88 more trotters to register. It was difficult to turn people away, but we had no choice. Perhaps we can address the cap or the race start time next year to allow for more people.”
It was dry, cold and clear on Thanksgiving Day for those who ran. Beginning at 7:30 AM the throngs descended upon the Village of Manorhaven for the 42nd Annual Port Washington Thanksgiving Day Run. Especially on Manorhaven Boulevard and at the mid-way point, the streets were packed with runners, spectators, race personnel and volunteers.
The weather was fine, but chilly and Town residents, while inconvenienced for a few hours on Thanksgiving Day morning, graciously cheered on their friends and family along the 5 Mile route. The top male overall finisher was Daniel Siegel, age 24 at 26:20 from New York City. In second was Marco Bertolotti, 25 at 27:32 and in third, Jack Ellwood, 18 at 27:35–both from Port Washington. The top three female overall finishers were also from Port Washington. Placing first was Bianca Luparello, 22 at 32:09, second: Lucy Hurt, 17 at 33:06 and third: Ellen Byrnes, 17 at 34:42.
The Community Chest and the Town of North Hempstead offer their congratulations and gratitude to all the participants. This year is the 42nd 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,” President Drew Hershkowitz said. “Together they make helping our neighbors possible.” He also notes that David Katz, FLRRT, with his decades of technical experience, insured that the race went off without a hitch.
Having the assistance of more than 100 volunteers and the support of the Town of North Hempstead was also vital to the logistical success of the event. 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 the Villages of Manorhaven, Sands Point, Baxter Estates and Port Washington North were all instrumental to the success of the Run. The Community Chest and the Town appreciate the patience of any residents of Port Washington who were inconvenienced on Thanksgiving morning.
Local residents finishing first in their age categories were Tommy McCarvill, 10 (35:03), Keira Gould, 11 (41:28), Noah Loewy, 14 (29:23), Sally Hirschwerk, 15 (38:38), Jordan Hurt, 18 (28:33), Leo Potters, 21 (27:42), Gillian Lowden, 22 (35:53), Daniel Scrafford, 36 (29:47), Vanessa Scrafford, 35 (35:31), Karen Melara, 40 (35:37), Steven Ellwood, 46 (28:52), Faith Paris Aarons, 46 (38:21), Takuo Katayama, 50 (31:02), Ann Marie Fitzpatrick, 51 (34:58), Andre Bertolotti, 57 (34:02), Bernie Cunningham, 55 (40:37), Kathleen Donovan, 61 (39:39), Bob Owens, 67 (37:51), Keith Mait, 65 (1:02:23), Neil Robinson, 70 (50:29), Barbara Serrett, 75 (59:58) and the most senior runner Vera Allen, 88 who finished at (1:29:37). Many locals finished top three in their age categories. For complete race results go to FLRRT.com.
