Mammone Triumphs In Nationwide 10K Run For ASPIRE

Friday, 13 April 2012 00:00

Mammone places first for the third year in a row in 35th annual race

Chris Mammone of the Bellmore Striders scored still another convincing victory in the 35th Annual Nationwide 10K Run for ASPIRE through the streets of Plainview and Old Bethpage on April 1. ASPIRE, which stands for Adolescent Sarcoma Patient’s Intense Rehabilitation through Exercise, supports amputees and encourages them to pursue an active lifestyle. Mammone’s 31:51 finish at Plainview’s H. B. Mattlin Middle School brought him home for his third win in a row a full 2 minutes, 50 seconds in front of runner-up Boyd Carrington. Top Master was John Francisco Martinez, scoring in seventh place overall.

The irrepressible Heather Williams was the winner in the women’s division, with a 37:49 finish that completed her back-to-back wins in Kings Park and ASPIRE. Noni Accetturi outlegged Shari Klarfeld for second place honors in the women’s division, and Karen Pompay scored as the top female Master. It was Accetturi’s second straight finish as the women’s runner-up.

Top local finishers included Bradley Raxenberg of Woodbury, who took top honors in the 20-24 age group, Shari Klarfeld of Plainview, who was the third woman to cross the finish line and first among the women in the 30-34 age group, Sharon Kapusta of Woodbury, who earned the third place award in the 40-44 age group, Kenneth Colantuoni of Plainview, who earned the third place award in the Clydesdale 185-189 weight division, Kim Solomine of Syosset, second place award winner in the 50-54 age group, Barry Jerson of Plainview, third in the 60-64 age group, Richard Kleiman of Plainview, top finisher in the 65-69 age group, Odd Sangesland of Plainview, second place finisher in the 80-84 age group, and Bert Jablon of Syosset, taking top honors in the 85-plus age group.

The biggest story of the day was once again the amputees, with Mike LaForgia and Sarah Reinertsen scoring with top honors. Host Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) was thrilled to have ASPIRE’s David Balsley on hand to say a few words about the ASPIRE program and its goals for the future.

Special thanks and congratulations go out to GLIRC race director Karen Schackner, going solo as the race director for the first time this year, for a job well done, and to Tony Wiszowaty of Nationwide Insurance for continuing his support for this event yet again.

GLIRC was happy to welcome The Runner’s Edge (Bob Cook), All Round Foods (Glen Wolther), and Mizuno back again as supporting sponsors, and to welcome new sponsor Physical Solutions Physical Therapy and Fitness.

Also thanked was the Town of Oyster Bay and its parks department for being part of the run once again this year, with Diane Ramos and her staff on hand to make sure that everything went well. Oyster Bay Town Councilman Joe Pinto was at the run to offer his support, along with Nassau County Legislators Rose Walker and Judy Jacobs.