Halesite Joins with Townwide Fund for 'Firefighter Category' in St. Patrick's Day Run

The Halesite Fire Department has joined with the Townwide Fund of Huntington to create a new "Firefighter Category" in this year's 4 mile run.

The Townwide Fund's annual St. Patrick's Day race has long been a local tradition. With fitness such a vital part of firefighting today, Halesite Fire Department has partnered with the Townwide Fund to create a special category that will recognize the fastest team of firefighters who run the race. Entries are open to any group of 5 firefighters regardless of age. Fire departments from all around our area are challenged to enter and see who can claim the bragging rights of Long Island's "fastest firefighters".

Halesite's efforts are being led by new member, Sarah Apgar. A fitness enthusiast in her own right, Sarah quickly realized how important it is to say in shape in order to perform well on the fire ground. To help members in Halesite improve and maintain physical fitness, Sarah created a fitness committee that works out twice a week. With interest among this committee in running organized races, Sarah reached out to Bea Hartigan, the Townwide Fund's race director, to explore setting up the new Firefighter's Category. Bea graciously agreed and 2013 will be the first year of this competition.

This year's St. Patrick's Day run is on March 9th at 9:00 am (fun run for kids starts at 8:30 am). Participants will begin at the American Legion Hall on Mill Dam Road in Halesite, run along West Shore Road to Southdown School and back. The Halesite Fire Department will be fielding two teams. Anyone interested in running is encouraged to go to www.townwidefund.org and click on the link to the race entry. Firefighters running in the new firefighter category should indicate their department's name on the race entry form. All proceeds from the race will go to the Townwide Fund of Huntington.