Lace up your running shoes and join your neighbors for the 42nd anniversary of the Port Washington Thanksgiving Day 5 Mile Run. This iconic run, co-presented by the Town of North Hempstead and The Community Chest of Port Washington is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.
Each November, this Port Washington tradition brings families and friends together to participate in a 5 Mile Run or Walk and provides funds to help the Community Chest give grants to eligbile charities serving the People of Port.
“The Town is excited to co-present the 42nd running of this great local event. The race starts early and ends by 10:30 AM so everyone can get home and start getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner,” says Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio.
The race will be held on Thursday, November 23, 2017 with a start adjacent to Manorhaven Beach Park, 80 Manorhaven Boulevard, Port Washington. Start time is 8:30 AM. This USATF certified 5 Mile race features a mostly flat course with one challenging slope perfect for the novice or advanced runner. As this is a USATF sanctioned race, baby strollers, skateboards, bicycles and dogs are not permitted. The run is held in all weather unless the police close the roads. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, the run will not be rescheduled.
Early bird registration fees are just $35 for adults and $25 for ages 9 – 21. Register at www.RunSignUp.com or visitwww.portchest.org/calendar to download a paper application. Fees for the race go up on November 21st so early registration is strongly recommended. Race Packet Pick Up is on Tuesday, 11/21 from 5 PM – 8PM, Wednesday 11/22 from 5 PM – 8 PM and on Race Day 11/23 from 7 AM – 8:25 AM at the Port Washington Senior Citizen Center, 80 Manorhaven Boulevard, Port Washington, NY.
“While runners pay a registration fee–often making extra donations–and participate with open hearts to help their neighbors, the generosity of our sponsors is truly staggering,” said Julie Meer Harnick, Community Chest Executive Director. “Without the revenue from this event, we would not be able to keep grant funding at current levels.”
The Community Chest encourages participants to bring non-perishable food items, local area grocery store gift cards or prepaid credit cards to Race Packet Pick Up for donation to the Our Lady of Fatima Food Pantry. Organizations who are interested in donating items to the Our Lady of Fatima Food Pantry can contact Sr. Kathy directly at (516) 883-3903.
All registrants receive a long-sleeved commemorative t-shirt and a race medal as they cross the finish line. Awards based on gun time will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each age division, male and female and to the top three male and female athletes overall.
Runners and walkers alike can enter in a pie raffle at Race Packet Pick Up and 200 lucky winners will go home with a delicious farm-fresh Apple Pie courtesy of the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation.
Volunteers (16 years old+) are always needed for this community-wide event. All volunteers will receive a long-sleeved race t-shirt to thank them for their time and efforts. Questions about the Thanksgiving Day Run should be directed to info@portchest.org or 767-2121.
