“Tradition, unity, charity and family fun!” Julie ONeill-Bliss, Sponsorship and Marketing Coordinator of the Shelter Island Run, told Hamptons.com is what made the 38th Annual Shelter Island 10K/5K Run/Walk a tremendous success.
Held on Saturday, June 17, former Olympian, four time NYC Marathon winner and four time Boston Marathon winner, Bill Rodgers and first-ever women’s Olympic marathon champion, Joan Benoit Samuelson were among those that participated in what Runner’s World Magazine said is “the most scenic course.”
Following the race, runners and friends gathered at the Island Boatyard and Marina on Shelter Island for The Runners Festival, produced and sponsored by John Kowolenko of Hampton Event Management. The festive affair featured music by DJ Twilo, local artisan food trucks, a photo booth, kids fun area, and more.
2017 marks the first year that the Shelter Island Run was featured in a new Grand Prix Series, which consists of the NYPD Memorial Run (May 21, 2017), Shelter Island Run (June 17, 2017) and Cow Harbor (September 16, 2017).
Overall, the 38th Annual Shelter Island 10K/5K Run/Walk raised over $30,000, which will support several East End charities, including the Shelter Island 10K Community Fund, which assists the area’s philanthropic donations to community programs for Shelter Island, educational services including scholarships, project Excel, school trips and family services, East End Hospice, which provides home health care, with short-term hospital stay when needed, for Hamptons residents and those that reside in surrounding Long Island towns, and the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch, which offers a safe haven for boys ages 10 to 21 who are in need of a therapeutic environment.
For more information, visit shelterislandrun.com.