Annual Long Island Marathon Set For May 5-7

The 2017 RXR Long Island Marathon is set for Sunday, May 7, with events taking place all weekend.

The weekend includes the 26.2 mile marathon, as well as a half marathon, 10k, 5k, 1-mile run, Kids Micro Marathon and more. Last year's race had about 8,000 runners.

"The Long Island Marathon is one of the region’s most exciting athletic events, and I am pleased to once again team up with the community of runners and RXR for the 2017 Long Island Marathon,” said County Executive Ed Mangano. "While no specific threat exists, the Nassau County Police Department will be putting forth enhanced security measures for the safety of participants, spectators and all members of our community."

In an effort to keep everyone safe, Mangano and the Nassau County Police Department announced the following security protocols for the marathon:

• All vehicles at the starting line and other staging areas must be credentialed and known in advance;
• Large contingent of uniformed police officers assigned to detail;
• Officers assigned with portable radiation detectors;
• All bags and back packs will be subject to K-9 explosive detection prior to going on the UPS trucks to the finish line. K-9’s will be patrolling the general area.
• Participants should arrive early due to modified road closures around the start and finish line areas and should plan to leave enough time for parking and travel to starting line;
• Only registered participants will be permitted into the marathon, half marathon and 10k starting line area on Charles Lindbergh Blvd on May 7.
• Participants may only use clear bags at the baggage check. Clear bags will be provided by race officials at participant check-in;
• Spectators may not bring bags into the finish line area in Eisenhower Park;
• Any bags or packages found on the ground will be discarded or destroyed. Participants should not stash personal items along the race route.
• Eisenhower Park finish line security at the spectator seating area includes modified fencing around seating entrance/exit gateways and bags/backpacks are prohibited and/or will be searched.
• Finish line festival area will include fencing to limit gateways for ingress and egress.
• The staff and volunteer-only areas require vehicle credentials as well as individual credentials. Only previously credentialed individuals will be permitted in these areas.

Expanded parking areas at Nassau Community College, introduced last year, will ease morning congestion getting into Eisenhower Park; participants will have a relatively short walk to the startling lines of the races; there will be shuttle buses during race weekend; return shuttles from Eisenhower park back to NCC parking after the Sunday races; and shuttle buses from the Westbury LIRR station to Mitchel Field for the Sports and Fitness Expo and to and from Start and Finish Areas on Sunday, May 7.

The marathon will bring a full weekend of activitiy to the heart of the county. Events include:

Friday, May 5

• Sports and Fitness Expo at Mitchel Athletic Complex (3 to 8 p.m.)

Saturday, May 6

• 1 Mile Run (8 a.m.) and 5K Race (8:30 a.m.) in Eisenhower Park.
• Kids Micro Marathon hosted by Ronald McDonald -- free and open to kids 1 to 11 years old (10:30 a.m. in Eisenhower Park’s Safety Town.
• Sports and Fitness Expo at Mitchel Athletic Complex (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Sunday May 7

• Long Island Marathon (8 a.m.)
• Long Island Marathon Weekend Half Marathon (8 a.m.)
• Long Island Marathon Weekend 10k Race (8 a.m.)
• Finish Line Festival, Eisenhower Park (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

For more information about the race, to register, or to sign up as a volunteer, visit the Long Island Marathon website.

Photo: Shutterstock