Peconic Landing Dedicates May Mile & 5K to Late Chairman

NORTH FORK, NY - Young and old coming together to run for a good cause will be honoring a legend at Peconic Landing in May.

This year, Peconic Landing will rename its 11th annual fundraiser race the John May Mile & 5K, to be held Saturday, May 7 at 1500 Brecknock Road in Greenport.

Proceeds from the intergenerational event, as always, benefit the Greenport Fire Department.

The event is a favorite on the East End, celebrating Older Americans Month . Open to runners and walkers of all ages and fitness abilities, the event features a relaxed mile-long walk and a more challenging 3.1 mile run.

More than 400 participants are expected to run with more than 150 volunteers, including student-athletes and ROTC cadets from area school districts helping.

The intergenerational event promotes health and wellness through community involvement and sponsorship in celebration of Older Americans Month, according to Peconic Landing.

John May served as chair of Peconic Landing's board of trustees for more than a decade, working to help the not-for-profit provide quality care and accommodations for all of its members, Peconic Landing said in a release; May played a vital role in bringing the retirement community to Greenport, with a goal of creating a community hub that benefits all residents of the North Fork.

Peconic Landing president and CEO Robert J. Syron will host the event, where he will name John May as recipient of the 2016 Older American Champion Award, an annual honor.

Members of the May family will be in attendance to accept the award on his behalf. The annual award honors a local individual for their years of service and continued dedication to older Americans, acknowledging the difference they make in older Americans’ quality of life.

“John May was an irreplaceable force behind much of the success of Peconic Landing. He worked on a premise of doing good business for the benefit of all,” Syron said. “Our organization would not be what it is today without John May. Peconic Landing looks forward to honoring his contributions with this annual tradition.”

Peconic Landing will also be unveiling a portrait of the late chairman during a private ceremony on Friday night, to be hung next to other exemplary members of leadership.

Since kicking-off in 2005, the annual benefit has raised more than $180,000 for the Greenport Fire Department. Last year’s campaign contributed a total of $25,700, helping to purchase, refurbish and maintain rescue equipment vital to keeping fire department volunteers safe during response efforts.

Registration and stretching begin at 8 a.m. at Brecknock Hall with the race and walk to start at10 a.m. Online registration is available by clicking here. Pre-registration is recommended but participants can register on the day of the event.

A barbeque lunch and the awards ceremony will follow at 11:15 a.m. on the back lawn of Brecknock Hall, where prizes donated by area businesses, including gift certificates and donated goods, will be raffled off with proceeds also benefitting the department.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or donating a raffle prize are asked to contact info@peconiclanding.com.