Terry Bisogno, 'The Voice of LI Running and Racing,' Named Race Announcer For 2016 Suffolk County Marathon

North Massapequa resident Terry Bisogno was recently named the race announcer for the second annual Suffolk County Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k which will take place next month.

“Terry is an amazing announcer,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. “He knows everyone who is running, and keeps up a continual account about all aspects of the race, so that the crowd is well informed about everything that is going on. He’s a great addition to our event.”

The races will take place on Oct. 30 in the village of Patchogue.

Bisogno called the Suffolk race last year, which raised a total of $160,000 for Suffolk County veterans services.

Between the 1980s and early 2000s, Bisogno has ran in almost 1,000 races, including 46 marathons in 13 states.

While he still runs about 10 to 12 races a year, announcing races has taken over much of his schedule.

He started announcing in 2005 while watching the Doug Wood 8K Race in Northport.

"[I] suggested to the race crew in the finish area that it would be neat to have the finishers' names announced," he said. "I was handed a microphone.”

Since then, he's called close to 600 events. During the last three years he's been averaging over 75 annually.

Several runners and race directors have labeled him "The Voice of LI Running and Racing."

“Terry is a priceless resource for the Long Island running community,” Mike Polansky, president of the Greater Long Island Running Club said. “He is our voice, a constant source of inspiration at the finish line of our races, and an amazing source of knowledge as to the accomplishments of Long Island runners.”

While most of his races have been on Long Island, he has also announced marathons, half marathons and 5K's in Texas, Pennsylvania and New York City, multiple police and fire runs in New York City and corporate runs in Westchester and Rockland Counties, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland.

Bisogno says his ability to recall for his knowledge about runners comes from doing his homework in advance of the race, where he studies registration lists and uses his collection of five years of detailed paper results, awards and other notes about every race he’s announced.

“The best part of announcing is being part of the event team and assisting putting on a professional, well-managed, exciting and fun competition,” he said. He takes pride in being of service to his race directors, the race crew and all the participants in the race and relishes the opportunity to enhance their finish line and their event experiences. He said his excitement continues to grow daily toward announcing at the Second Annual Suffolk County Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k.