Sports
Maura Carroll Targets Sixth Marathon
Islip resident will run Sept. 13 Suffolk marathon, a qualifier for Boston race
Islip resident Maura Carroll will be running her sixth marathon in three years when she turns out for the inaugural Suffolk County Marathon and Half Marathon in Support of Veterans, set for Sept. 13 on the South Shore.
Carroll, a registered nurse at Southside Hospital, is celebrating her 55th birthday today.
“ I am thrilled that Suffolk is finally getting some recognition by hosting its own marathon,” she said. “What could be better than to roll out of bed and go run a marathon in your own backyard? I ran the NYC marathon in 2013. As exciting as that was it was hard to get to the starting line. This starting line will be easy to get to. It will be fun seeing the local people who run around town in the marathon as well. I have been running since 2006. It has been a great journey!”
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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.
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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
