May 25, 2016 Staff Report
Nearly 1,000 people have signed up for Long Island City’s first waterfront 5K run/walk and the organizers have decided to limit the number to participants to 1,200.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, is for both runners and walkers—and it is expected to be a sell-out with 1,200 participants in attendance.
There will also be shorter races for children that will take place on Center Boulevard. To date, 130 children have signed up for these races.
Registration for the LIC Post 5K still remains open for the event. However, once 1,200 people have signed up, registration will close.
All the proceeds raised will go to the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC), a nonprofit group that was formed two years ago with a mission to enrich the quality of life in Hunters Point by preserving and enhancing its parks, green spaces and waterfront in partnership with the community.
Last year, the group hosted more than 35 events in addition to almost 20 cleanup and gardening events in both Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunters Point South Park.
“This is going to be a community event to remember,” said Christian Murray, publisher of the LIC Post, who is organizing the event with the HPPC and two local running groups. “The majority who have registered live in the neighborhood.”
More than 25 sponsors have already signed on (see list below).
“The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy is grateful for the support of our sponsors and the community,” said Rob Basch, president of the HPPC. “This is an important event for Long Island City as it will encourage healthy living and showcase our wonderful parks.”
Basch said the Conservancy will use a large portion of the proceeds to bring added programming to the waterfront parks. He said he is working with the Gantry Parent Association, which formed midway through last year to advocate for pre-K and kindergarten seats locally, to provide a range of events for young children.
The run will start next to Hunters Point South Park. It will then go through the shopping district on Vernon Boulevard and all the way over to Queensbridge Park before circling back toward Gantry Plaza State Park and Center Boulevard (see map for route).
“The route will take runners past many of our popular restaurants and pubs and then finish by running through the spectacular waterfront parks,” Basch said.
Jeffrey Choi and Ann Sansaricq, both members of Long Island City Runners and Woodside-Sunnyside Runners, will be race day organizers.
“Long Island City is a one of the best places in the world to run and people will see that when they take part in the 5K,” Sansaricq said.
Interested runners/walkers can sign up by clicking here.
There will be medals presented to the fastest runner in both the men’s and women’s categories. There will also be ribbons awarded to children.
The day will include a post-race party with live music, food and drinks available at LIC Landing.
The event will cost $20 for adults and $15 for children for those who register online. T-shirts are still guaranteed—although for late registrants T-shirt sizes will not be.
The event sponsors are:
Platinum Sponsors: Plaxall and Douglas Elliman/Dutch
Gold: Rockrose and LIC Dental Associates
Silver: Maiella, SHI, Mandicatis Rustica, Crossfit Gantry, M&T Bank, Sacred Waters, Foodcellar and Related
Bronze: Woodbines, LIC Bar, Gantry LIC, Slice Pizzeria, Beer Closet, Sugarcube, Nesh New York and Tom Cat Bakery.
Additional support from Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, State Sen. Mike Gianaris, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, NYC Parks Dept., New York State Parks Dept., and Coffeed.
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