Thanksgiving Day-Not Just For Eating Anymore!

Many people were snug and cozy at home Thanksgiving morning but not members of the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation.  Under the watchful eye of executive director, Mike Rosato, members and volunteers began to show up at the park at 6:30am. The Reason? The foundation’s third (successful)  annual Turkey Trot 5K run/walk. 

  For months Mike Rosato and the members of the foundation have prepared for the Thanksgiving day Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk but no preparation in the world can guarantee weather conditions, an uneventful registration process or a successful and fun event.  For the third year in a row the Foundation pulled it off.  

Even with a glitch in the pay-pal program 876 people registered for the 5K.  Add to that the number of participants in the fun run and you have close to 1100 people who showed up on Thanksgiving Day to run, walk, take their kids out, join with spouses, family, or friends and exercise or just have fun. 

The venue, the Nissequogue River State Park was majestic with the trees colorful enough to make you remember why the grounds of the former psych center are worth investing in and preserving. The goal of the race is to raise funds to support the beautification and improvements on the NRSP grounds.  An added benefit is the education of the public as to the jewel that exists here in Smithtown.  Mike Rosato was quite  pleased with the turnout.  Without having all the numbers available to him, Mike said “participation was up and revenue from sponsorships was up almost three times the amount raised in last years run.”  

First Place Winner Gregg CantwellThe course is not an easy course with many uphill areas.  It was estimated that almost 70% of the trail was uphill.  Everyone (including myself) was amazed to see 23 year old Gregg Cantwell wearing bib #633 of Port Jefferson cross the finish line with a time of 15:06.2.  Mr. Cantwell was  1:43.6 ahead of second place winner, 29 year old Gavin Goldstein of Dix Hills, bib # 697. Gavin finished with an impressive 16:49.8 time. Third place was won by Queens resident, 22 year old Ricardo Cuahuizo with a time of 17:09.5.  

The first female to cross the line was Colleen Sampson age 24, wearing bib # 855.  First Female - Colleen SampsonColleen (town not listed) finished with a time of 19:34.2 .  Following close behind was the second female 26 year old Amanda Pisano of Smithtown.  Wearing bib # 576, Amanda’s time was 19:48.4.  The third female to cross the line was East Northport resident Sarah Hardie, age 14 wearing bib # 220.  Ms. Hardie finished with a time of 20:05.7

Not to be forgotten are the first place Master’s.  For the women 43 year old, Susann Cuccia of Smithtown wearing bib # 85 finished with a time of 21:11.3 which helped her to finish 42nd overall. For the men finishing in 5th place was 41 year old Francisco Martinez wearing bib # 619. Mr. Martinez a Jackson Heights resident finished with a time of 21:11.3.

Board member Sean Lehman was thrilled, “The word is spreading throughout the running community that the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation races offer a challenging course with a combination of hills and open paths accompanied by beautiful scenic views of woodlands and the Long Island Sound.”

Everyone associated with the event acknowledged that the success of this annual event depends heavily on the volunteers. The foundation thanks all the volunteers with special thanks to the Kings Park students and boy scouts who helped.  Board member Rose Mangogna  issued a statement saying, “ I would like to thank the 40 plus students who came out and volunteered from Kings Park Soccer Club. They got up and to the park at 6:45am to help make this run a success. The youth of Kings Park showing their support, that’s what a community is all about.

All times and placements are available on the NRSP Foundation Website www.ourstatepark.com.