More than 1,400 runners turned out for the 7th annual LIC Waterfront 5K Saturday (Photo: courtesy of Alex Lopez at lopezalex6@gmail.com)
June 6, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
More than 1,400 runners enjoyed the warm weather Saturday and participated in the seventh annual LIC Waterfront 5K.
The event drew serious runners to slow joggers—all of whom were there to run around the waterfront for a good cause.
The children’s dashes, held immediately after the 5K, saw more than 150 children run along Center Boulevard.
The children’s dashes Saturday were as popular as ever (Photo: courtesy of Alex Lopez at lopezalex6@gmail.com)
“The LIC Waterfront 5K gets better every year and this past Saturday was no exception,” said Rob Basch, president of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, a neighborhood non-profit that co-organizes the event.
“We had picture perfect weather and over 1,400 registered runners taking a scenic tour of the LIC Waterfront and Vernon Blvd,” Basch said. “We send out a big thank you to our LIC Community including all the runners, our sponsors and the NYPD 108 precinct for making this happen. We look forward to seeing everyone next year and invite everyone to continue running in Long Island City.”
Rob Basch, president of the HPPC, talking to runners prior to the race (Photo: courtesy of Alex Lopez at lopezalex6@gmail.com)
The winner in the men’s category was Rene Bittner with a time of 17:59. The fastest woman was Suzie Clinchy with a time of 18:41.
The annual run is a fundraiser for the HPPC, which organizes cleanups, gardening and community events. The non-profit helps maintain Long Island City’s waterfront parks in partnership with the NYC Parks Department and the state of New York.
The race began at the corner of Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue at around 9 a.m.
Runners went through the commercial district on Vernon Boulevard all the way over to Queensbridge Park and then looped back to the starting line by passing through Gantry Plaza State Park and along Hunters Point South Park.
Council Member Julie Won spoke at the event. The national anthem was sung by Julie Borst of the Woodside-Sunnyside Runners.
The Woodside-Sunnyside Runners, Run LIC and the LIC Post/Queens Post are co-organizers of the event.
This event was the largest of the seven waterfront 5Ks organized to date. It was sold out a day prior to the race.
Timing, registration, and other services were provided by elitefeats. For a complete list of results click here.
Runners going down Vernon Boulevard as part of the race route (Photo: courtesy of Alex Lopez at lopezalex6@gmail.com)
Runners going through Gantry Plaza State Park (Photo: courtesy of Alex Lopez at lopezalex6@gmail.com)
Runners warming up at Hunters Point South Park prior to the 5K (Photo: courtesy of Alex Lopez at lopezalex6@gmail.com)
Two participants enjoying the run (Photo: courtesy of Alex Lopez at lopezalex6@gmail.com)
