A Thanksgiving Day tradition that’s been going on for decades returned to town and the excitement was palpable. Standing on Manorhaven Boulevard well before the race began, people could feel it.
There’s an energy that comes from an in-person running competition. More than 3,000 runners and walkers heeded the call to #GettoNormal and participated in the 2021 Port Washington Thanksgiving Day Run presented by the Community Chest of Port Washington and the Town of North Hempstead.
Thanks to beautiful fall weather and the cheering by hundreds of residents along the race route, runners and walkers enjoyed the 5-mile iconic run through four scenic Port Washington villages on a semi-flat course.
The top male finishers were Luke Ellwood (25:57) of Port Washington, followed by Aaron Siff-Scherr (26:53) also of Port Washington and Kerome Branwell (27:33) of Springfield Gardens, NY. Top female overall winners were Theresa McCabe of Manhasset (29:21), and Gillian Lowden (32:25) and Lucy Hurt (32:48) of Port Washington.
“We’d like to thank the hundreds of volunteers, our sponsors, especially the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, and the support of the Port Washington community that helped make this year’s Thanksgiving Day Run a great success,” said Drew Hershkowitz, Community Chest of Port Washington Board president.
Local runners who won their age divisions included, Benjamin Hristoforatos, age 12 (33:12), Addison Ahmuty, 11 (43:43), Julian Kimball, 14 (30:55), Ashley Carillo, 14 (33:52), Courtney Koleda, 19 (34:37), Andrew Adelhardt, 23 (28:08), Cassie Scandalios, 22 (34:02), Paolo Bertolotti, 27 (29:07), Bianco Luparello, 26 (34:42), Christine Gotimer, 32 of Manhasset (34:20), Jay Lu, 36 of Manhasset (29:42), Shawn Garbien, 44 (30:31), Karin Shih, 43 of Manhasset (34:07), Elizabeth Andreozzi, 46 (40:48), Stephen Ellwood, 50 (28:44), Laura Alonso, 50 (38:14), Kieran Owens, 55 (34:48), Ann Marie Fitzpatrick, 55 (36:10), Bruce Spenadel, 62 of Manhasset (35:52), Mark Heller, 67 (41:24), Kathleen Donovan, 65 (41:19), Bob Owens, 741 (40:55), Clara Mazzei, 73 (1:12:49), William Palafox, 80 (1:35:33) and Dorothy Bheddah, 82 (1:37:40).
While runners hailed from all over the country, (and there were two international runners— from Spain and Holland) roughly two-thirds are from the 11050 zip code and 82% are from the North Shore; it’s truly a local tradition.
The average age of runners is 36 with almost 300 young runners ages 12 and under. At 82, the most senior finisher was Dorothy Bheddah of Port Washington. Awards are given to the top three finishers overall (male and female) and to the top three finishers (male and female) in 16 different age categories Congratulations go out to the many local runners who placed 2nd and 3rd in their age divisions.
For race results go to FLRRT.com or for searchable results visit https://bit.ly/2021PWTurkeyTrot and click on “Results.”
Race day started at 8:00 am with a yoga stretch, presented by YogaLife and ended at the finish line with apples donated by R Best Produce and Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace and water courtesy of Glen Cove Beer Distributor.
Having crossed the finish line, participants eagerly check their times and then head to the Pie Raffle boards to see if they’ve won one of the 200 Young’s Farm apple pies sponsored by the Dejana Foundation. Officially sanctioned and certified by USA Track and Field, the Thanksgiving Day Run is co-presented by the Town of North Hempstead and assisted by the Port Washington Police and Fire Medics, the Sands Point Police and the Nassau County Police, along with the Villages of Manorhaven, Sands Point, Baxter Estates and Port Washington North.
The run’s technical director is David Katz, founder of Finish Line Road Race Technicians (FLRRT) and a pioneer and innovator of modern road race technology, who’s behind the scenes excellence makes sure the race goes off without a hitch.
Thanksgiving Day Run Chair and Community Chest board member Noal Goldfarb added, “there are a lot of moving parts to producing this Run and when I watch the friends and families connecting and reuniting during this event, I know its one that adds to the uniqueness of Port Washington.”
The Community Chest of Port Washington is a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise funds for distribution to local charities dedicated to improving the lives of Port Washington residents.
Community Chest grants support programs for seniors, children, teenagers, and others in need—programs that serve Port Washington residents. To learn more about the Community Chest or to find out about volunteering, contact the Community Chest at (516) 767-2121, info@portchest.org or visit their website at www.portchest.org.
