Five hundred plus racers and over a hundred spectators braved the brisk temperatures Saturday morning for the 31st Annual Veterans Day 4K XC Race on behalf of the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).
"The Northport Running Club and the American Legion (Post 694) are proud to work together for the benefit of the Veterans, and they look forward to working together in the future," said race director Jim Mahoney.
Joe Sledge, Public Relations Director for the VAMC, expressed appreciation on behalf of the staff as well as the patients.
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"We at the VAMC, the patients, the staff and the volunteers are grateful to the Northport Running Club, the American Legion (Post 694) and all the sponsors for the tremendous goodwill they and the race will generate, and the tremendous support our patients feel when they see events such as this honoring their service and sacrifice," he said.
Some of the spectators had more than one person in the race to cheer for.
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"My husband, who is a Vietnam Veteran, is running with our son. My husband ran in the race once before but this is the first time our son is doing it," said Susan Irwin of East Islip, who had help cheering for her husband, John, and her son, John Irwin Jr. of Smithtown, from her two grandchildren. John finished the race in 23:44, placing #293. His son placed #302, finishing in 23:55.
One of the runners, Kevin Barry, 53 of Northport, sang the National Anthem before the race began. But he did not sing it alone.
"The best way to honor the Veterans is by singing the National Anthem, so please join me," he said. Barry placed #176, finishing the race in 20:38.
The course of 2.48 mile race took the runners across the golf course shared between the VAMC and the American Legion Post 694. This year's winner, Matt Walsh, 25, of Wantagh, finished in 12:18. The first woman to cross the finish line was Danielle Matteo, 23, of Valley Stream. She finished in 14:48 and placed 18th overall. The race included a runner as young as three years old-Logan Cash of East Northport-to one 91 years of age-Bill Benson, 91, of Valley Stream.
After the race the runners and the spectators were treated to hot chocolate, hot chowder and bagels in the auditorium before the cash awards of $100, $50 and $25 dollars were presented to the top three male and female overall winners.
The race was the second big event at the VAMC in less than a month. On October 19 the formal dedication of the Vietnam Veterans of America Memorial Garden, which is located behind the Little White Chapel, took place. The garden, which was donated by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapters 11 and 82, Dignity Memorial, Empire National Bank and Gary Duff Designs, features a path of bricks, some which have messages inscribed on them from family members of Veterans, community organizations and sponsors.
The proceeds from the Veteran's Day race will go to the VA's Department of Voluntary Services for the hospitalized Veterans. For a complete list of winners and their times, visit www.start2finish.com.
For more information about the VA, please visit their website.
