Chris Mozer Steps Up on Suffolk Marathon

Chris Mozer of Huntington Station is stepping up his running game, signing on to compete in the inaugural Suffolk Marathon and Half Marathon in Support of Our Veterans on Sept. 13.

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.

“Being involved in this crazy sport has shown me that there are people in the world that care about others as well as themselves,” Mozer said. “Although the racing community on Long Island seems large, you’d be surprised how tight knit it is. We’re supportive of each other. We lean on each other for encouragement....or a shoulder to cry on. What affects one, affects all. No matter if it’s a birth of a child, an engagement, a death in the family, an injury, or reaching a specific goal, we’re there for each other.”

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