Center Blvd Dash kids race (Photo credit: Richard Calvache)
June 6, 2016 Staff Report
The inaugural “LIC Post ‘Run the Waterfront 5K’” drew a handful of speedsters Saturday who were determined to win the event.
The winner, Jeremy Garrell, was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 16 minutes and 3.99 seconds, and the top female runner, Sabrina Chin, came in at 20 minutes, 39.28 seconds.
Photo credit: Richard Calvache
But for the majority of the 1,200 runners who registered, the event provided an opportunity for a community jog with friends and an adventure around the neighborhood that more than 2/3 of the runners call home. It was also a fundraiser for the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, a non-profit group that organizes events and helps maintain Long Island City’s waterfront parks.
The Conservancy raised $25,000 after expenses.
Several groups joined in the race, including CrossFit Gantry, Brooklyn Boulders and the Queens Distance Runners.
Some sponsors ran, such as Matt Quigley, from Plaxall, who was accompanied by his daughter and cheered on by his cousin Paula Kirby.
Food Cellar’s Metin Mangut and his wife were also in the field, and his son ran in the kids’ races. Cross Fit Gantry’s Jay Hachadoorian participated with coaches from his Cross Fit gym. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and five of his staffers participated as well.
Photo credit: Rodrigo Salazar
The children’s races, which took place on Center Boulevard, drew plenty of spectators. More than 50 children aged 2- and 3-years-old scurried 25 yards in what was called the Center Boulevard Dash. Some kids were happy to participate, others wound up in tears. The 4- and 5-year-olds were a little more resilient.
The event was organized by the LICPost in conjunction with the Woodside-Sunnyside Runners, LIC Runners and the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy.
Sponsors included:
Platinum Sponsors: Plaxall, Inc., Dutch LIC Condo Complex
Gold Sponsors: Rockrose, LIC Dental Associates
Silver Sponsors: CrossFit Gantry, M&T Bank, SHI, Maiella, Food Cellar, Manducatis Rustica, Sacred Waters
Bronze Sponsors: Woodbines, Gantry LIC, LIC Bar, sLICe, Sugarcube, Beer Closet, COFFEED, and Nesh NYC
For a complete list of timing results, divided by overall ranking and age groups, click here.
Photos of the race by Rodrigo Salazar can be found here, and photography by Richard Calvache here.
Jeremy Garrell (1st place, center), Photo credit: Rodrigo Salazar
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