First launched in 2015, the Suffolk County Marathon has raised over $1 million for non-profit Veteran organizations, according to county officials.
"Our flag flies because Veterans have stepped forward to defend our country and to serve our country. So it's our way of saying thank you," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said ahead of Sunday’s event.
Proceeds from this weekend's two-day event have yet to be reported. They will be distributed through an application process overseen by the Suffolk County Marathon Grant Committee. The money raised will be dispersed through the “I Run this Island Foundation.”
Sixth District Legislator Chad Lennon (Rocky Point) is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps for 16 years, and Purple Heart recipient. Carrying a gigantic American flag each step of the way, Lennon ran in the 10k leg of Sunday’s “marathon, half-marathon, 10k”-segmented festivities.
He did so while adorned in “boots and utes"—that is, military-issued footwear and trousers, a green T-shirt active servicemen wear under their camouflage uniform, and a 22-lb. vest in honor of the 22 Veterans per day that take their own life.
The legislator felt this tribute most appropriate, given the beneficiary of the event’s revenue.
“The CDC states that for every completed suicide, there are 25 attempts. So, on top of the 22 Veterans a day that are taking their own life, there are 550 that are attempting it,” Lennon told The South Shore Press. “Unless you are in the Veteran or military community, you really have no idea about this number.”
In the main event, Jonathan Schloth, a third-year law student, and Cristin Delaney-Guille, 43, proved victorious in the men’s and women’s divisions.
Schloth, of Lynbrook, triumphed with a final time of 2 hours, 36 minutes and 30 seconds. Long Beach native Delaney-Guille finished the race in just under 3 hours at 2 hours, 59 minutes and 48 seconds.
To put this impressive feat into context: Schloth paced a 5-minute mile for the entire 26.2-mile duration, while Delaney-Guille paced a 6-minute mile.
Danny Kovler, of Farmingdale, and Maria Mahoney, of New Jersey, won the men's and women's half marathon; Caleb Fiedtkou and Megan Eiseman won the 10k divisions.
“The experience was incredible. It was my first time running a half marathon, and although it was a tough run, personally I would do it again,” said Maria Lazcano, 27, of Selden.
Describing the route as mostly flat with picturesque views and a breeze lent from the bridge, Lazcano nevertheless considers it “..neverending.”
For those in training, she recommends constantly running and increasing your mileage each week. “Rest, hydrate, diet and stretch,” Lazcano says. Pick a good playlist, stay focused, have fun and remember: crossing the finishing line is an incredible victory!”
The winning route not just for first-place finishers, but for all who signed up cast its starting point in Babylon Village before crossing the Robert Moses Causeway to end at Bay Shore’s Gardiner County Park.
Here, a post-race Freedom Fest, live music and food vendors welcomed exhausted participants.
Further reflecting upon a “gorgeous day” for his first Suffolk County Marathon run, Legislator Lennon hopes that his efforts inspire others—-uniformed or not— to “keep going."
He believes athletic forums like the Suffolk County Marathon, and community-building organisms in general can instill in someone suffering from great strife the strength required to conquer their overwhelm.
“You might be in physical, mental or spiritual pain,” said Lennon, “but we keep going on and we’re all here to support each other—and you’re not alone.”