Ultra-Marathoners Coming to Caumsett

Scores of athletes wil turn out at Caumsett State Park Sunday morning for 50k and 25k runs.

The 50k Merrell Caumsett State Park run will serve as the USA track and field national championship run.

The 25k run will serve as the 25k championship for the Greater Long Island Running Club.

Top ultramarathon athletes from around the country are expected to compete for trophies and cash prizes.

The overall winner of the 2012 Caumsett 50K Run was Joseph Gray of Newcastle, Wasn. He finished in 2 hours, 56 minutes, 43 seconds, more than 6 minutes in front of defending champion and course record holder Michael Wardian of Arlington, Va.

Todd Braje of San Diego, Calif., 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.” said Carl Grossbard, 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.

 Joseph Neek of the Merrell store at 291 Main St. in Huntington Village, said,“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.”

The 50k run starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 25k at 9:30  a.m.