Woman Runs 7 Marathons In 7 Days To Honor Nation's Heroes

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — An extreme distance marathon runner continues her journey of the heart this week, heading out to the East End to raise awareness for heroes who gave the greatest sacrifice to protect the nation's freedoms, and for veterans.

For the fourth year in a row, Suffolk Federal's Senior Vice President of Information Technology and ultra‐marathon runner Eva Casale is in the midst of running seven marathons in seven days to raise funds and awareness for the non-profit Hope For The Warriors organization.

Casale will run a total of 184 miles during her “Every Veteran Appreciated Week” which will take place through Friday, May 3.

On Tuesday, Day 4 of her journey, East End residents can cheer Casale along her journey at locations in Wading River, Calverton National Cemetery, Suffolk Community College's eastern campus, Sound Beach Veterans Memorial Park, the Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, and VFW Post 5350 in Westhampton Beach.

Each marathon is focused on honoring local servicemen killed in action and will be linked to the communities they called home, she said — Casale is running a minimum of 26.2 miles each day to raise funds and awareness for troops, local veterans and fallen heroes.

Casale's Team E.V.A. stands for "Every Veteran Appreciated," she said.

“I’ve always been able to run long distances, so I decided to use my passion for running to make a difference and to do something significant — to recognize and support our veterans,” Casale explains. “Team E.V.A. is meant to pay homage to our local heroes. It’s such an honor for me to organize and run this event and to know that I can bring the surrounding communities together to thank our local heroes and their families for all they done and sacrificed.”

At the end of the week, Casale will have visited more 106 Points of Honor and will have laid more than 250 flowers in memory of fallen heroes.

“Suffolk Federal is honored to support and be the lead sponsor for Eva and her mission of bringing attention to the brave soldiers and their families who sacrificed so much, and continue to do so each and every day,” said Ralph D. Spencer Jr., President & CEO of Suffolk Federal and a United States Air Force veteran. “As many veterans, including myself, have planted roots here in Long Island, I believe it’s our responsibility to support this crucial cause and invite our community to do so as well by coming out to support our Team E.V.A.”

In addition, for the second year, Team E.V.A. expanded into Nassau County. This year’s marathon's opening ceremony took place at the Huntington Elks Lodge #1565.

From there the team's path will include Centerport, Commack, Northport, the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, Eisenhower Park, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Calverton, Westhampton, Oyster Bay, Bayville, Glen Cove, Brookhaven, Patchogue, Medford and the South Shore of Long Island.

The closing ceremony will take place at Copiague Fire Department Friday as Casale and the team completes the final marathon.

“We are inspired and excited to have Eva and her team continue their efforts in Nassau County once again. Their dedication, hard work and commitment to making such a significant contribution to our local veterans is admirable and helps to promote and unify a stronger community here on Long Island,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci added: “Veterans and their families make the ultimate sacrifice so we can experience an abundant of freedom in this country. To support Eva and her team as they begin their journey in Huntington with this unique 184-mile platform to raise awareness, acknowledge and support our Long Island Veteran community for all they have done is an honor.”

“I want to applaud Eva and her team for continuing to help our veterans and their families,” said Suffolk County Legislator Susan A. Berland. “Suffolk County has the largest population of veterans in New York State and as the chairwoman of the legislature’s veterans committee, I cannot thank Eva enough. The amount of dedication and effort it takes to run one marathon, let alone seven, is remarkable.”

To show support for veterans, Casale encouraged all residents and businesses to display American Flags during the seven-day marathon event.

Live updates of Casale’s progress will be made available through Team Eva’s Facebook page.

On the East End, Casale ran in honor of 1st Lt. Joseph Theinert of Shelter Island and LCpl Jordan Haerter of Sag Harbor.

“We are grateful to be the recipient of this incredible endeavor and appreciate Eva’s gift for running and her dedication and compassion for veterans, service members and military families. Eva and Suffolk Federal’s continued support to our organization is significant to our programs focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement and connections to community resources,” said Hope For The Warriors Senior Director of Sports and Recreation Steve Bartomioli.