Catholic Health Services' 3rd Annual Suffolk County Marathon

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Thousands of people are signing up to run in the Catholic Health Services’ 2nd Annual Suffolk County Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K on October. 29. From people participating to meet health goals to teams of veterans running in honor of their colleagues, all have inspiring stories to tell about why they’re running in the Catholic Health Services’ 3rd Annual Suffolk County Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Run on October 29.

To share your marathon story with us, email Pam Robinson at Pam.Robinson@SuffolkCountyNY.Gov.

To see the 2016 Faces Of The Race, click here.

To see the 2015 Faces Of The Race, click here.

2017 Faces Of The Race

Janet Longo
Coram, NY

This will be my third Suffolk County half marathon! In addition to supporting our veterans, I will run this race once again as my “Run for Rollstone” fundraiser. The Rollstone Foundation assists families adopting orphans with disabilities. Thank you Suffolk County, this has become one of my favorite races!!!!
Donna Zephrine
Bay Shore, NY

I’m running for a good cause--for veterans and just in general.
Stephen Buckley
East Setauket, NY

I’m running for a chance at that "Mountain Top" experience. This will be (God willing ;) ) my 7th marathon and my 2nd Suffolk County... Life has thrown me many difficult challenges and I have used long distance running as a tool to help me get to that place where the head and heart meet... and this seems to be the place where I find a deep abiding peace.
John Fischer
East Weymouth, MA

I had signed up for the Suffolk County Marathon with my running partner Erika with the goal of us both qualifying for Boston. Erika has qualified for and run Boston before, but this would be my first time. Erika recently had to back out due to an injury, but she is committed to returning next spring to qualify herself in a different marathon. So I will be running on my own, but still with the same goal to qualify for Boston for the first time! At this stage of my running journey, this has become my Ultimate Goal! I write a blog which tells the story of my running journey at https://10kandbeyond.wordpress.com/
Tricia (Brandeau) Drummond
Burke, VA

I have never run a marathon and figured if I am ever going to then it should be one back home on Long Island. I started running about 4 years ago with a couch to 5K program. I thought it might be fun to see if I could run 3 miles. I quickly moved on to 10K races and three years ago I did my first half marathon. I never imagined doing a full marathon until I heard about the Suffolk County Marathon. I run for those who can’t, for those I miss, and for those I want to inspire. As a teacher I tell my kids they can do hard things, now it’s my turn to prove that to myself.
Matthew Spelman
New York City

I am running the Suffolk County Marathon to challenge myself and continue my streak of running a marathon every year in a different location. Last year I ran in Washington D.C.in the DC Marathon and in 2018 I will be running the NYC Marathon. I'm excited to run the Suffolk County Marathon and plan to beat my DC Marathon time last year of 3:17.
Elizabeth Hyde-Daddio
Islip Terrace, NY

I am running the half marathon for the first time. I started running as an overweight teenager with asthma as a way to improve my health and it carried through adulthood. I have since lost 40 lbs and became a Registered Dietitian. I never thought I could compete in any kind of sport because I was never athletic growing up. I was nervous but entered my first 5k five years ago. I found the experience inspiring and I soon began entering more races and my time just kept improving! This will be the longest distance I have ever raced but I'm excited to meet the challenge. I was afraid when I first starting racing but once I just did it, I truly felt the runner's high. I hope to inspire others to overcome fear in order to achieve goals. Most importantly, I especially hope to instill that into my 2 year old daughter Emily. Good Luck to everyone!
Jessica Fasulo
Las Vegas, NV

I am originally from Long Island and all of my family is still there. I ran the marathon last year and it felt so good to be “back home” running on streets I grew up on, and the streets I trained on. I moved to Vegas for a teaching job after graduate school (Adelphi University) in 2007 because the weather is much more conducive to outdoor sports and better for my arthritis. I love Vegas but I miss my family, friends, and Long Island. I really enjoyed the race last year and I am hoping to have a memorable experience this year. The 2017 Suffolk marathon will be my 21st marathon and two weeks after I finish the Suffolk Marathon I will be running my 22nd marathon which is the Vegas Marathon on Nov 12.
Marvin and Ria Canita
East Meadow, NY

I started running 6 years ago as a means to lose weight. My father died of a massive heart attack at age 50 and I was afraid I’m heading the same direction. This inspired my wife to join me in training and running. We’ve run a few races together and decided that a relay would be a fun way to get other family members involved. My wife’s cousins, PJ and Charie, who are brother and sister, are also running as part of the team.
LeighAnne Bosco
Levittown, NY

I only started “running” 3.5 years ago, when i hit rock bottom after the sudden loss of my Dad. It wasn’t until I woke up one day and realized I either needed to find an outlet or reach out for help. With the support of my family, I decided I needed to lose weight and get into shape. I then took a leap and signed up for a 5K with the goal of running the whole race. After crossing my first finish line with a time of 32:09; I fell in love with running. The Suffolk County Half Marathon will be my 5th Half Marathon. I went from not wanting to leave the house to making friends at the gym, at races and meeting people I never would have had I not woke up one morning with the realization that something needed to change.
Estella and Robert Clasen
Bellport, NY

I no longer run due to knee issues but I can walk. I love doing local 5K events and this event is turning into a favorite for my husband and myself. I enjoy the camaraderie of the day and the fact that we are raising funds for the veterans.
Dr. Hubert Keen
Nassau County Community College

Although I have always been actively involved in sports, I only began running seriously in 2009. I'm running this race because it is a physical and mental challenge that requires dedicated training and execution--I can't resist the challenge. For about three years I ran around 30 races per year. However, for the past two years I decided to set specific races as goals and prepare more for fewer events. I admire and thank County Executive Steve Bellone and his partners for so vigorously promoting services and support for veterans through the Suffolk County Marathon/Half Marathon. It is a great cause.
Hilary Topper
Merrick Woods, NY

I started running at 48 as a way to get healthy before turning 50. I never ran as a child. I was never athletic. I started with a partner and we ran a bunch of local races and then started to travel a little to various places doing half marathons. However, it was always rough getting through those half marathons. Last year I was accepted into the NYC Marathon and hired Jeff Galloway to help me with his run/walk/run method. As a result, I was able to get through the marathon feeling good and then did another half marathon shortly after that in Miami. I started Team Galloway Long Island as a way to give back. Jeff helped me and I wanted to help others figure out how they can accomplish their goals.
Perry Gershon
East Hampton, NY

I’ve run more than 20 marathons in my life, but this is my first in Suffolk County. I’m running because I want to raise awareness about my run for Congress CD-1.
John McKeon
Massapequa, NY

My reason for running this race is the joy I get from this sport.
My first experience in running came when I was 10 years old in PAL Track and Field, and ever since then I have never stopped.
As long as I live I will continue running and competing in races til the very end.
Team MAD DaSh
Mecca Baker - Islip NY
Alegra Eidelman-Williams - Montclair NJ
Darlene Abraham - Laurelton NY
Sherrika Fuller - Salisbury NY

Working Moms who bonded through running! With our husbands and children cheering us on, we will participate in the relay to complete our first Marathon together!! Fitness, friends and fun!
Susan and Mike Hanner
Vero Beach, FL

My husband and I did the Suffolk Marathon 2016 . I did the half marathon. My daughter ran the 5k with friends. Mike ran his 1st 26.2 marathon. I did my first marathon the year before in Key West 2015 . We both are in our 60s. We’ve only been running for a few years now. We enjoy this race so much . We are going to be doing this race once again this year . I’m doing the full and Mike the half. This is one awesome race . See you all there...
Stephen Norris
Coram, NY

This'll be my first time running the Suffolk County Marathon, but I've previously run the Long Island Marathon and it will be my 3rd marathon overall. The reason I'm running the Suffolk County Marathon is because I love the challenge and sense of accomplishment from running this benchmark distance. I have aspirations to run the Boston Marathon one day and I'm hoping to finish in a qualifying time this time or in the near future. I started running five years ago in an effort to be more active to help lose weight and then maintain the 80 lbs I had subsequently lost. As I lost more weight running became easier and easier, which prompted me to run longer distances, leading to participating in road races about three years ago, and becoming a marathoner in 2016.
Filomena Scholl
Massapequa, NY

I am running the half marathon. My first ever half marathoner was the first Suffolk half. I have been running it ever since. This will be my third year running it. I started running because it was something that I could do for myself after becoming a mom. Running was my quiet time and still is. I have my best thoughts and ideas when I am running. Running has taught me that I am strong and I can do hard things. I love running this race because it supports the veterans.
Joseph Huber
Pine Brook, NJ

As a 67 year old I still love running marathons - over 120 of them - and running in support of our veterans is a special honor. I ran this race last year and found it to be one of the most enjoyable, relaxing courses I’ve experienced. Running keeps me young, or at least sustains the illusion that I am!
Amanda Leigh Strong
East Patchogue, NY

I am running this Half Marathon for health, well-ness , fitness, and to see my friends! I never liked running as a child, felt like it was a chore, something I had to complete. As soon as I ran my first 5k, which was The Liz Kelly ,Run for the Sun, it certainly changed the way I see things today, a different perspective!
Juliet Meltsner
Bay Shore, NY

I started running sophomore year of college to lose the weight I had gained freshman year. I started to get into a rhythm with my breathing and suddenly, running didn't seem like a chore but rather part of my routine. I participated in my first half marathon in 2013 and didn't do much training but the feeling of crossing that finish line was unbelievable--the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. After that, I participated in three more half marathons before signing up for a full marathon and began legitimately training. I had run 18 miles on one run and then got peroneal tendinitis a week before my marathon and was devastated. I then signed up for the Catholic Health Services Suffolk County Marathon as motivation to get better and complete a marathon. This marathon is close to family and home which I think will help keep me motivated and in the end, succeed. I am also running this for my grandpa, Papa as he was an avid runner. He will be at the race as well as the rest of my family cheering me on!
Robert Shimonski
Plainview, NY

I am currently signed up for the Half Marathon in Suffolk as well as all of the other Veteran series races in 2017. My reason for running this race is simple: it supports Vets and brings community together to celebrate a great cause. I have been running since I enlisted in the Marine Corps back in 1992. I continue to do so to stay healthy and active and participate in about 30-40 events per year. As an active supporter of the military, their families and those who paid the ultimate price for their service, I run this race for you.
Julie Noonan
Boyertown, PA

I had started running (and losing weight) just 6 months before my breast cancer diagnosis in November 2014. I kept running during my treatments because running was the one thing I could control. I even ran a 10k the day before my 30th radiation treatment. Exactly 1 year and 1 day from the diagnosis, I ran my first half marathon and was hooked. I’ve set a goal to run a half marathon in every state. I grew up in Kings Park and though I moved away 15 years ago, LI will always be “home” to me. When I saw there was a race right in Suffolk County, and it benefited a great cause, I knew I had to come home to run it. Having my stepfather, Jim Kelly, who is a veteran, there to cheer me on will be an added bit incentive for me.
Franklin Padilla
East Patchogue, NY

I live in East Patchogue and I love my community I try and support the local merchants as much as possible and go to all the events. Last year I did the 5k; this year I am doing the full marathon. It will be my second one (last year I did the Air Force Marathon) . I am running this for my love of running. I generally do runs to support all kinds of causes but this race is a bit extra special due to the fact I am an active duty veteran and it’s in my town.
Kristin Anderson
North Bergen, NY

I ran a race in Suffolk County last year and enjoyed the area; I wanted to explore other races and other communities. I have been a runner all my life. When I was in graduate school, I wasn't able to run as much as I wanted. After I finished school, I started running again. In the past I have run for Team in Training (Leukemia Lymphoma Society) and Autism Speaks. My dad was and my niece currently is in the military (Army), so veteran services are important, especially for veterans who are dealing with the long-term psychological effects of military service.
Rachel Toolan
Rensselaer, NY

The 2017 Suffolk County Marathon will be my 14th full marathon. I am excited to run this marathon as the race start and finish are in my hometown of Patchogue.
Gigi Becker
South Huntington, NY

I started running 5 years ago because I was overweight and getting older. I knew I needed to do something since I was no longer skating on a roller derby team and that was my only physical activity. So I started signing up for a 5k run/walk just about every weekend and that progressed to 10ks, then half marathons and marathons. I have now run in over 310 races since I started. I run as part of Team Chris and with them I feel like I am using my running not only to better myself but to help our troops and veterans with the efforts put forth by Team Chris.
Jules Winkler
Medford, NY

I’m running the Suffolk marathon for the first time because I want to support veterans. I served in the U.S. during the Korean War.
Steven Winckler
Riverhead, NY

I have run 5k and 10k and my next goal was to do a half marathon. Since I turned 55 this year I thought it was time.
Janine Logan
Hauppauge, NY

I am participating in the 5K race as a member of the @lihealthcollab team to promote the Long Island Health Collaborative’s Are You Ready Feet? walking initiative and because I know the health benefits of walking are far reaching and help with the management of all sorts of chronic diseases. I am also walking in support of my daughter who has type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition that is better controlled by the steady pace walking affords.