“Don’t ask me what I’m expecting for Ellen’s Run,” Julie Ratner said. “I’d rather talk about what I’m hoping for.” That’s Julie. Projecting the same positivity that catapulted the run they said she couldn’t do into a Long Island brand for Breast Cancer research, treatment and support. She was hosting a pre-party for the upcoming Ellen’s Run (Sunday, August 16th), with Jean Shafiroff and Sequin co-owner Linda Renk, who was donating a portion of Sequin’s jewelry sales to the Ellen Hermanson Foundation.
Julie flashed her beatific smile, “Look outside: It’s magnificent today, perfect temperature, perfect humidity and sun which makes everyone happy. So, that’s my request for next Sunday. Then, I would like to see is a minimum of a thousand people, but we could have more.” Proceeds from Ellen’s Run support the new Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital. “The race will go off at 9 a.m.,” noted Ratner. “It begins at Parrish Memorial Hall on Herrick Road at Southampton Hospital.”
The annual event is geared towards both serious and casual runners, as well as walkers and supporters of all ages. “The course is fabulous. It’s flat,” shared Ratner. “It’s fast, for people who are runners, who really care. But, we have so many people who are walkers, who just come out with their friends for the fun of it to support the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, it becomes a social event.”
“We have registration on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., so people can pick up their T-shirts and get their numbers,” Ratner explained. “We have a little Ellen’s run store where we sell tank tops, socks, wonderful little ear bugs for listening to your phone, and hats.” The excitement begins early on Sunday, August 16th. “Race day, we open at 7:30 a.m.,” Ratner noted. “There’ll be a DJ to get everyone revved up and someone doing exercises and warm ups. After the run, there are bagels, fruit, water and sandwiches.”
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Linda Renk and John Awe. (Photo: Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com) |
“There’s a wonderful joie to the event,” Ratner continued. “The heart and soul are the volunteers and runners who come every year: breast cancer survivors, family, serious runners, fun runners.” Now in its 20th year, the event has grown to over 1,000 participants and has awarded more than $3.5 million in grants. “We take a picture every year of the breast cancer survivors,” said Ratner. “Many of these women have been through this together and known each other for years: a true sisterhood of caring. There’s a general feeling of camaraderie — lots of hugging and warmth, between strangers and friends alike, that keeps people coming year after year. They know it’s about this community, and keeping the money that’s raised, here.”
Then it was time to shop. “We’re particularly focusing on the 70s because it’s the moment right now,” said Linda Renk of the enticing baubles. “Lots of tassels, pendents, and semi-previous stones that you can wear in a casual way to make your outfit look updated.”
For more information about Ellen’s Run, visit www.ellensrun.org.
