April 8, 2016 Staff Report
A 5K run/walk is set to take place along the Long Island City waterfront this June to raise money for the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, is for both runners and walkers—and more than 1,000 participants are expected to attend. There will also be shorter races for children that will take place on Center Boulevard.
“I think that this is a great way to bring the community together,” said Christian Murray, publisher of the LIC Post, who is organizing the event with the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy and two local running groups.
“The event will be for the entire community and it will be action packed,” Murray said.
All the proceeds will go to the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC), a nonprofit group that was formed two years ago to help maintain Long Island City’s waterfront parks and put on events. The group has hosted several movie and concert nights, and frequently organizes park cleanup days.
Rob Basch, president of HPPC, said the funds raised will help the organization put on more events. Furthermore, “this will be a great day to show everyone how great our parks are while also providing a fun-filled day for families and residents.”
The event will start next to Hunters Point South Park. It will then go through the shopping district on Vernon Boulevard and all the way over to Queensbridge Park (see map for route).
Jeffrey Choi and Ann Sansaricq, both members of Long Island City Runners and Woodside-Sunnyside Runners, will be race day organizers.
“Long Island City is a one of the best places in the world to run and people will see that when they take part in the 5K,” Choi said.
There will be medals presented to the fastest three runners in both the men’s and women’s categories. There will also be medals awarded to children.
The day will include a post race party with live music, food and drinks available at LIC Landing.
The event will cost $20 for adults and $15 for children for those who register online. By registering online before May 18, participants are guaranteed a race T-shirt and swag-bag items.
Registration on the day will be $25 per adult and $20 for per child, and T-shirts cannot be guaranteed.
Several companies have come forward to sponsor the event.
Plaxall and Douglas Elliman have signed on to be platinum sponsors.
Meanwhile, Rockrose and LIC Dental Associates are gold sponsors.
Other sponsors include Maiella, SHI, Woodbines, Slice Pizzeria and Beer Closet.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
To register, please click here
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One Comment
Great news! Hope this results is aggressive replanting of areas under great stress or ground to bald and hard due to overuse. The State arborist and gardeners are responsible for that section; why can’t the Conservancy work on purchasing and helping to replant the shamefully abused “wild” and treed sections from 47th Avenue, south through the “ramble”? After mass gatherings, there needs to be replenishment. A 5K run is a major stressor–where’s the payoff for the park?