Larry Elovich memorial 5K fun run set for Aug. 3

The inaugural Larry Elovich 5K memorial fun run and walk is set for Saturday, Aug. 3, at 9 a.m. The event will start and finish at New York Avenue, between Broadway and the beach.


The Larry Elovich Scholarship Fund, in cooperation with the City of Long Beach, will host the event, in honor of the late Larry Elovich, a well-known attorney, a former Long Beach Democratic Committee chairman and a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, who died at age 77 on Sept. 21 at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Roughly a thousand people attended his funeral service at Temple Emanu-el, at which Elovich’s family and close friends — including U.S. Rep. Peter King, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato — recalled a man who fought to transform Long Beach into the vibrant city it is today. Elovich was remembered for his ability to reach out to Republicans and Democrats alike, bridging not only political divides, but ethnic ones as well.

Elovich is survived by his wife, Helen Mirel; a sister, Eleanor Elovich Glanstein; three daughters, Lisa, Lauree and Lynn; and nine grandchildren.

Family and friends described Elovich as an avid runner who often participated in 5K races and stayed physically fit. Shortly after his death, his children set about launching a 5K race in his name, to serve as a scholarship fundraiser for outstanding Long Beach High School students who can’t afford college.

“We wanted to create a fund to donate the money in memory of our dad to a youth in Long Beach who has a sense of community, shows integrity, and someone who gives their best efforts academically, athletically and helps others,” said Lisa Elovich. “We are going to work with the high school to find the best student — we’re looking for a youth who emulates some of the great characteristics that my dad had.”

Elovich said that the community came together to help get the 5K event off the ground, from the city’s recreation department to local merchants.