Farmingdale Athletes Score in Run For ASPIRE

Congratulations to Farmingdale athletes Brendan Dagan and Donna McMahon, who scored as the first male and female finishers overall in the 28th annual Nationwide Insurance 10 Kilometer Run for ASPIRE. The run was held on the roads of Plainview, Old Bethpage and Bethpage on Saturday morning, April 2.

Congratulations to 2004 ASPIRE 10K Champions (L to R) Masters Champions Bob Giambalvo and Kathy Martin and Overall Champions Brendan Dagan and Donna McMahon, pictured here with Tony Wiszowaty of Run Sponsor Nationwide Insurance (3rd L) and Run Co-Director Craig Courounis (R)

The 23-year-old Dagan crossed the finish line in 34 minutes, 49 seconds, 9 seconds in front of runner-up Kevin Cunningham of Smithtown. The 35-year-old McMahon, finished in 37:52, also a 9-second margin over second place woman Kathy Martin of Northport, who was the women's winner of the run in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Joan Ackerman of Farmingdale (R) and fellow Award winner Helma Clavin are congratulated by Tony Woiszowaty of Nationwide Insurance and Run Co-Director Craig Courounis.

Also winning an award in the 2005 ASPIRE 10K was Joan Ackerman of Farmingdale, who took second place honors in the women's 60-64 age group, and Michele Nusblat and Ellen Shapiro, both of Farmingdale, who were the second and third place female racewalkers respectively.

The ASPIRE Run was staged by the Greater Long Island Running Club, in conjunction with the Town of Oyster Bay. GLIRC's Bob Windorf and Craig Courounis (also a resident of Farmingdale) served as the Co-Directors of the Run once again, with Diane Blanchard of the Town's Recreation Department coordinating the event for the Town. Nationwide Insurance, acting through the Woiszowaty Agency in Massapequa Park, was the title sponsor, with additional business support being provided by The Runner's Edge of Farmingdale, Mizuno, Trader Joe's of Plainview and Propel Fitness Water providing additional support.

The ASPIRE Run, celebrating its 28th year, is the oldest continuously held 10 Kilometer Run on Long Island. This year's run was conducted under less than ideal conditions, with steady (and sometimes heavy) rains punctuating the runners' journey over a combination of demanding hills and level straightaways through some of the most scenic roads in central Long Island, including a mile-and-a-half stretch along Round Swamp Road, past the Old Bethpage Restoration Village.

"The Run for ASPIRE continues to be one of the most important events on the Long Island running calendar," said Run Co-Director Craig Courounis. "We are thrilled that so many runners and racewalkers showed up despite the unfortunate weather, and thrilled by the outstanding performances of Farmingdale's Brendan Dagan and Donna McMahon. They are true champions and we are proud and pleased that they are such an integral part of our run."