Registration is now open for the Merrell Caumsett State Park 50 and 25 Kilometer Runs, which will be held at Caumsett State Park on Sunday, March 3. Runners of every age and level of ability are cordially invited to participate in either of the two events.
The 50 Kilometer Run has once again been selected by the USATF Mountain, Ultra and Trail Council to be the USA Track & Field 50 Kilometer National Championship Run for 2013. The 25 Kilometer Run will serve as the 25 Kilometer Championship for the Greater Long Island Running Club.
The lead sponsor of this year’s Run will be Merrell, one of the leaders in outdoors footwear and apparel.
The top ultramarathon runners from all over the country will be joining Long Island’s top ultra runners to compete for cash prizes and the USATF trophies designating the overall male and female champions and the masters (age 40 plus) champions in the 50K for 2013 .
The overall winner of the 2012 Caumsett 50K Run was Joseph Gray of Newcastle, Washington. Grey finished in 2 hours, 56 minutes, 43 seconds,, more than 6 minutes in front of defending champion and course record holder Micahel Wardian of Arlington, Virginia. Todd Braje of San Diego, California was third. ShanaAiles Istnick of Kent, Ohio was the women’s winner in 3:36:50, with Jessica Kennedy of Morristown, New Jersy second in 3:39:38. Top local finisher was 2011 Long Island Marathon champion Shaun McGrath of Seafiord, who scored in 6th place overall.
“We are thrilled to have the Caumsett Run recognized once again by USA Track & Field as a world class event.” noted Carl Grossbard, who is the Co-Director of the Caumsett Run. “Long Island is becoming increasingly known as a major player on the Ultramarathon stage, and this year’s event is certain to attract virtually every top American Marathoner to Caumsett on March 3rd. We are equally thrilled to have Merrell on board as a perfect lead sponsor for the event.”
But Grossbard emphasized that the 50 K and 25 K Runs are not just for elite athletes. “With a cutoff time of eight hours, there is plenty of time for even the slowest runners to finish, and with the course conducted over 5 Kilometer loops with refreshments available at two points each time round, this is an event that anyone in reasonable shape can be part of.”
Merrell is a leader in outdoor footwear and apparel. Joseph Neek of the Merrell store at 291 Main Street in Huntington Village was quite happy with the partnership. “A National Championship for endurance athletes is the perfect tie-in for Merrell and its program to get people outdoors. We are looking forward to an incredibly successful event that will help put the Town of Huntington on the National endurance sports map.”
Entry forms and more information can be obtained by calling the Greater Long Island Running Club office at (516) 349-7646. Online registration is available at www.glirc.org.
