Suffolk Marathon Welcomes Non-Profit Teams

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone last week welcomed teams that are running in the CHS Suffolk County marathon, half marathon and 5k.

While net proceeds from Catholic Health Services second annual Suffolk County Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k races in Patchogue will go toward supporting veterans, several non-profit teams and individuals are running to support charitable causes. At least 150 individuals representing teams are already registered for the race.

"We want to encourage other nonprofit groups or individuals to run and, through sponsorship, support their causes that positively impact the lives of thousands of residents in Suffolk County,” the County Executive said.

“The process is simple: register online at www.suffolkmarathon.com, create a team and a fundraising page and solicit sponsors who will support you.

“The members of the teams here have already begun that process,” the County Executive said. “They personify the causes and organizations that the marathon will help support.”

Among the teams already registered are Patty’s Pacers, funding the Patricia Keane deGeorge Memorial scholarship at Adelphi University College of Nursing; Mothers Against Drunk Driving, fundraising for MADD projects; Team Liberty, a group of organ donation recipients who are running to raise awareness and funds to support donation efforts; Rolling Thunder, a team of special needs athletes; Airborne Tri-Team, a group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans led by Ron Hurtado, running to support the group’s veterans services; Jolene McCarthy, running in her second Suffolk marathon to support Homes for Our Troops, a program to provide housing for disabled veterans; and the YMCA, with Tim Steiskal, director, sales & member engagement, Patchogue YMCA and Brookhaven Roe Y Center , a triathlete who is running to support YMCA programs.

“We welcome all teams who, by running in this race, will assist not only veterans, but other good causes that will benefit so many others,” Thomas Ronayne, director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency, said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come out and enjoy the day while making the community stronger through support for all these great causes.”

Last year’s marathon raised $160,000 for Suffolk County veterans.

Rich Mallow, state executive director of MADD, said, “Mothers Against Drunk Driving thanks the County Executive and the Suffolk County Marathon for allowing our organization to participate in this event to help increase awareness about this horrific crime, as well as raise additional funds to support our mission.”

“We are proud to represent Team Liberty in the Suffolk County Marathon’s 5k,” Michele Martines, mother of transplant recipient Christian Siems, said. “We hope to bring awareness to the critical need for organ donors in New York which is last in the United States with regard to registered donors. Here in New York 10k people are waiting for life saving transplants and because of the shortage of donors, every 18 hours a New Yorker dies waiting. We are excited to participate and we have created a fund raising page on the Marathons website, our goal is $5k. Go Team Liberty!”

The Oct. 30 races will start and end in the village of Patchogue, accompanied by The Freedom Fest Taste of Long Island Festival in the heart of downtown Patchogue. The event will feature live musical entertainment and will highlight our local craft breweries, award winning wines, and local food and produce. Free tastings will be given to all race participants.