38th Annual Shelter Island 10k/5k Run/Walk To Return Over Father’s Day Weekend

Lace up your sneakers and get ready to dash because the 38th Annual Shelter Island 10k/5k Run/Walk is taking place on Saturday June 17th at 5:30 p.m. The fundraising event that supports East End charities is now part of the Grand Prix Series, which includes the NYPD Memorial Run (Sunday, May 21), The Shelter Island Run (Saturday, June 17), and Cow Harbor Run (Saturday, September 16), with prizes offered for the overall winners in all three races.

“This run means so much to a lot of us because it’s in its 38th year,” shared Mary Ellen Adipietro, Race Coordinator. “It’s a tradition you have generations of families and runners enjoying this day to either set a personal best, win the family crown, get together with their running teams to enjoy a weekend of fitness, fun and scenic beauty on the rock!”

This year’s race will include the chance to run alongside Bill Rodgers, a former Olympian, four time NYC Marathon Winner and four time Boston Marathon winner, and Joan Benoit Samuelson, who won gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, making her the first-ever women’s Olympic marathon champion.

“I can personally tell stories of people around the country that when I say I live on Shelter Island inevitably someone says ‘I ran a race there in the 80’s or 90’s.’ I have met officials from larger runs that say 38 years- that’s pretty special!” Adipietro added. “I hope this year the feeling of tradition, family and friends running together for charity and friendship, blankets this event so that the next generation sees the importance of the Shelter Island 10K as a competitive road race as well as a race for personal bests, team running and friendly family teasing. If we can continue to raise funds and have fun- let’s do it!!!”

Proceeds from the race will benefit charities such as The Shelter Island 10K Community Fund, East End Hospice, and Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch. The Shelter Island 10K Community Fund assists the community with educational services, such as scholarships and school trips, East End Hospice offers home health care for those in need and Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch provides a safe haven for boys aged 10-21.

After the race a Runners Festival, sponsored by John Kowolenko of Hampton Event Management International, will be held starting at 7 p.m. at the Island Boatyard and Marina on Shelter Island. At the Festival, there will be a DJ, local artisan food trucks, cash bar, a local merchant shopping area, a photo booth, kid’s fun area and a raffle! Admission is free for runners and kids under 14 and $10 for non-participants.

Cliff Clark, John Strode and Jack Faith founded The Shelter Island 10K run in 1980. Over the past 38 years the race has seen thousands of participants, featured several Olympians and national champions and has raised over $650,000 for local charities. “The founders, volunteers and participants in the early years probably could not imagine the longevity of this run,” Adipietro noted.

The entry fee for the 10K is $40 in advance and $50 the day of race. The entry fee for the 5K is $30 in advance and $40 the day of race. Kids under 14 are $15 and Veterans are free with proper ID. Registration closes at 4 p.m. the day of the race and the race starts promptly at 5:30 p.m., rain or shine. Awards will be given for winners in the 10K, 5K run and 5K walk, a full list of prizes can be found online.

The 38th Annual Shelter Island 10k/5k Run/Walk will start at 33 North Ferry Road on Shelter Island. For more information call 631-774-9499 or visit www.shelterislandrun.com