Local Athletes Score In Inaugural ‘Summer’s Not Done AquaRun’

Friday, 12 October 2012 08:17

There was definitely something new under the sun on Sept. 16, as several hundred swimmers/runners gathered at TOBAY Beach for an 800-meter swim in South Oyster Bay, followed by an eclectic three-mile run to and through the TOBAY Beach Bird and Game Preserve: the Summer’s Not Done AquaRun.

Dominican speedster Yean Jiminez of the Bronx, who led the field in the swim, held off a strong challenge by Sam Fox of Merrick on the run and scored a three-second victory over Fox. Magdalena Mango of New York City turned in a great performance to win the women’s division, with veteran Mineola triathlete Barbara Cronin Stagnari second.

Local athletes won their fair share of awards, led by Ken Colantuoni of Syosset, who scored in 20th place overall and second in the 40-44 age group, and Jamie Fishlow of Old Bethpage, who was 24th overall and earned the second-place plaque in the 50-54 age group.

Also scoring with awards were Steve Weinstein of Woodbury (third, 60-64 age group), Alan End of Plainview (third, 65-69 age group), John Mulvey of Syosset (second, 70-74 age group), and 75-year-old Steve Schloss of Muttontown, who was the oldest finisher and took home the first-place award in the 75-and-over age group.

UJA-Federation of New York worked with the Greater Long Island Running Club and the Runner’s Edge running and multisport specialty store to stage the AquaRun, Race administration was handled by the club, with Steve and Holly Jonas serving as the co-race directors and club vice president Mindy Davidson serving as the event coordinator.

Key financial support was provided by the Mandelbaum Property Tax Reduction Group and the related law firm of Maidenbaum & Sternberg LLP. As always, Glen Wolther of All Round Foods donated an appetizing array of baked goods. The black and white cookies in particular proved a popular post-race treat.

The entire net proceeds of the AquaRun go to benefit UJA-Federation of New York, together with its 60,000 contributors and 100 agencies, and its efforts to transform the lives of 4.5 million people in New York, in Israel, and around the world. The world’s largest community-based philanthropy, UJA-Federation raises funds that sustain the activities of health, human service, educational and community-building agencies, enabling it to help the sick and the hungry, connect children to their Jewish roots, and offer humanitarian relief to communities devastated by a crisis.

TOBAY Beach is one of the premier recreational venues on Long Island, and members of the running club were pleased that the Town of Oyster Bay allowed them to utilize TOBAY for what was an outstanding morning of family fun and competition. With the inclusion of a two-person team relay category, even those who were uncomfortable with a swimming competition were able to be part of the event.