Runner to Go for Her 13th Marathon

Andrea Restifo lives in Atlanta but will bring her marathon-running talents to Long Island when she runs the inaugural Suffolk County Marathon and Half Marathon to Support Our Veterans.

Married to Steven Restivo, who grew up in Dix Hills, Restifo will run the full marathon, her 13th in her running career.

“I’m excited to join you guys and be surrounded by family cheering me on,” she said. Her mother-in-law, Kitty Graziano, told her about the race. “She saw me cross the finish line in the NY Marathon several years back and is excited to experience another race!”

The races will raise funds to expand and enhance veterans’ services in Suffolk County. It also is a last-chance qualifier for the Boston 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. Suffolk County has partnered with New York State to host this inaugural event.

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.

“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.”

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