Sharon Couple to Run Suffolk, NY, Marathon

A Sharon couple will add to their extensive running history when they run the inaugural Suffolk County (NY) Marathon & Half Marathon in Support of Our Veterans on September 13.

Gail and Dave Martin will join thousands of others at the race, which will raise funds to expand and enhance veterans’ services in Suffolk County.

“I’ve been an avid endurance runner since 1984,” Gail Martin said. “My first marathon was in October 1986 and I did triathlons for 10 years, including two Ironman, one in Kona, HI in 1988. I’ve run 10 Boston Marathons over a 20-year span, and volunteered for the Boston Marathon for 10 years. I’ve also run 14 ultras, including my first 100miler last October. Team Martin will complete 50 state marathons in January 2016. The Suffolk County Marathon will be my 101st marathon!”

The marathon has a distinctly planned route that was designed to showcase and drive tourism toward downtowns along the Great South Bay. The race will begin and end at Heckscher State Park in East Islip with a Taste of Long Island wine and food festival to end race festivities and highlight local craft breweries, award-winning wines, and local food and produce. Free tastings will be given to all race participants. Suffolk County has partnered with New York State to host this inaugural event. The festival will also feature live musical entertainment.

The Taste of Long Island Festival is being made possible with the support and partnership with New York State, the Suffolk County Restaurant and Tavern Association, the Long Island Wine Council, and the Long Island Farm Bureau.

“The Suffolk County marathon is a mechanism to highlight the incredible communities, natural resources and businesses we have here in Suffolk County,” said County Executive Steve Bellone, who is also running the Suffolk marathon. “Suffolk County is a world renowned destination. From the Hamptons to our wine country to our amazing downtowns and world class beaches, we are a destination for tourism, businesses, recreation, and living. Our marathon will give us an opportunity to showcase all of that.”

Dave Martin said, I’ve been running for 23 years. I’ve run 65 marathons and 12 ultras. I have 2 states (Wisconsin and Hawaii) left to complete a marathon in all 50 states. I am also trying to run a race in every town and city in Massachusetts -233 out of 351 so far. Gail and I are known as Team Martin. We continue to travel the country running races and our next marathon in two weeks will be our first out of the country-Iceland.”

For some race participants, the Suffolk marathon is their first full marathon, while other registrants have been competing in marathons, tough mudder races and triathlons for years. Runners from around Long Island and beyond are participating, including wheelchair and hand cycle competitors, veterans and supporters of veterans, as well as many others eager to enjoy Suffolk’s natural beauty and participate in the inaugural race.

North Shore-LIJ Health System has been named as a presenting sponsor. The Suffolk marathon is part of the veterans series of races that began May 23 with the Annual Cpl. Christopher G. Scherer “I DID THE GRID” Run/Walk Pulaski Elementary School, East Northport.

Catholic Health Services will provide nearly 100 personnel to take care of runners at the race.

The marathon is managed by the Greater Long Island Running Club at glirc.org

To learn more about the Suffolk marathon or to register, visit http://www.suffolkmarathon.com