Bill Rodgers And Joan Benoit Samuelson Running In 37th Annual Shelter Island 10K/5K Run/Walk

The 37th Annual Shelter Island 10K/5K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, June 18th at 5:30 p.m. The race, which is touted as “the most scenic course” by Runner’s World Magazine, supports several East End charities. The USA track and field certified course will take runners and walkers along a scenic loop across Shelter Island.

This year, participants can join former Olympian, four time NYC Marathon winner and four time Boston Marathon winner, Bill Rodgers, and Olympic Gold Medal winner and the first-ever women’s Olympic marathon champion, Joan Benoit Samuelson, on the course. George A. Hirsch, Chairman of the Board of the New York Road Runners, publisher of Runner’s World, and joint founder of the New York City Marathon, will also run the race. To celebrate George and Bill’s involvement, the duo has come up with a unique challenge, “The Great Prediction.” Before the race, runners can guess the combined running time of George and Bill in the 10K, and the person who comes the closest will be awarded a prize.

“The most important thing we want all to take from the Shelter Island 10K Run is to give. This I shall leave to my favorite story… ‘I don’t need very much now,’ said the boy, ‘just a quiet place to sit and rest, I am very tired.’ ‘Well,’ said the tree straightening herself up as much as she could. ‘Well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, boy, sit down and rest.’ And the boy did. And the tree was happy. Thank all our friends for giving,” said Mary Ellen Adipietro, Race Director.

Once the race is over, participants can commemorate their accomplishment during the inaugural “Revelry on the Rock,” the official Shelter Island Run after party, produced and sponsored by John Kowolenko of Hampton Event Management International. The bash will be held at the Island Boatyard and Marina on Shelter Island, starting at 7 p.m. Attendees will enjoy live music from the Hoo Doo Loungers and DJ Twilo, local artisan food trucks, a cash bar, shopping, photo booth, children’s activities, raffles, and a free BBQ for runners, prepared by Salt Waterfront Bar and Grill. Admission is free for runners and $10 for non-participants. Entry for kids 14 and under is complimentary.

The 2016 race will support The Shelter Island 10K Community Fund, East End Hospice, and Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch. The entry fee is $40 for the 10K, $50 on the day of the race; $30 for the 5K, $40 on the day of the race. Kids under 14 are $15, and veterans are free. Winners in the 10K, 5K run and 5K walk categories will be awarded, with a $10,000 Runner’s Purse and course bonuses for the 10K.

Registration will take place at the Shelter Island High School Gym (33 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the race.

For more information, visit www.shelterislandrun.com.