The Shelter Island 10K, in its 44th year, and the Beacon of Hope 5K, in its second, are to be contested on Saturday — the Beacon of Hope race in the morning at Montauk’s Camp Hero, and the 10K in the late afternoon, making it possible for runners to double-dip should they want to.
Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson, two of the most prominent long-distance runners in United States history, are to speak in the Shelter Island American Legion tent at about 4 p.m., the race director, MaryEllen Adipietro, said in an email. The 10K will start in front of the Shelter Island School at 5:30 p.m. The race is being dedicated to a predecessor of Adipietro’s, the late Jimmy Richardson, whose motto, she said, was “They came, they ran, I’m done.”
“This year Elite Feats/Northwell Health are highlighting a new initiative, Strides for Success, that will encourage kids from disadvantaged communities to take up the lifelong sport of running,” said Adipietro, adding that youngsters from Brentwood and Freeport, along with their coaches, would be in the field, mingling with their high school peers.
As one of America’s most popular 10Ks, the Shelter Island race often attracts elite runners from such countries as Kenya and Ethiopia, which will apparently be the case again this year. The course record is held by Simon Ndirangu, a Kenyan, who ran the 6.2-mile distance in 28 minutes and 37 seconds in 2012. Meb Keflezighi’s 29:59, which he ran in 2015, is the masters (40-plus) record.
Prize money goes to the top four males and females, to the top two male and female masters finishers, and to the top finishing male and female United States citizens. Record-breaking performances will yield bonus prizes.
Jordan Daniel, 28, a former Westhampton Beach High School soccer player who lives in Lake Grove, was the 10K’s winner in 2021 and 2022. His 31:21.40 of last year bettered his 2021 time by 48 seconds. Last year’s women’s winner was Hirut Guangul, 30, in 34:29.14.
The Beacon of Hope 5K, which is to start at the foot of the Montauk Lighthouse at 9 a.m., is a benefit for Lucia’s Angels and the Coalition for Women’s Cancers. The former, according to Event Power’s website, “helps women and families on eastern Long Island with late-stage women’s cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and uterine cancer.”
“The Coaliton for Women’s Cancers is a volunteer-driven group that came together to create and sustain a supportive network for women affected by breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers. The organization focuses on early detection and empowerment to bring about better health care and an improved quality of life.”
The winner of last year’s inaugural race was Claudio Telles, 44, in 16:31.3. Justin Kulchinsky, 48, of East Hampton was the runner-up, in 17:01.2. Rebecca Deitch, 25, was the women’s winner, and fourth over all, in 19:27.8.