Hundreds race for 10th annual Jimi Gubelli 5k

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Runners and walkers alike arrived and crossed the finish line at the 10th annual Jimi Gubelli 5k in Island Park on June 30.

On the hot, sunny Saturday morning, over 300 people gathered at Masone Beach and 247 of them laced up to participate in the race. In the end, 206 finished at an average pace of 12 minutes and 54 seconds for each mile and an average total time of completion of 40 minutes and 2 seconds.

Awards were given to the first, second and third male and female to make it to the finish line. In the men’s category, John Fitzsimmons, 19, won first place, followed by Courtney Kwas, 51, and Rob Devinney, 47. For women, Mary Alice Curney, 26, achieved first place, followed by Reese Coughlin, 11, and Sharon Dasilva, 48.

Afterwards, an annual corn hole tournament of 40 teams was held as well as a race packet pickup party at Pop’s Seafood Shack.

The foundation and event was started in 2009 for Jimi Gubelli, a Masone Beach lifeguard, Island Park Fire Department member and overall well-known resident of Island Park, who was a native in the area. At 47, Gubelli died in 2008 from a heart attack in his home after going for a swim. Outdoor activities and sports comprised much of his hobbies.

“He was one of those guys … a great friend, someone you could turn to in the best of times and the worst of times,” Hempstead Town Councilman and Island Park resident Anthony D’Esposito said. He said he knew Gubelli his whole life and added that Gubelli constantly lent a helping hand to his neighbors. “He was always the for the community.”

Roughly $25,000 was raised from donations to the event, according to D’Esposito, who was one of the organizers. Some of the money will go towards $2,500 scholarships for four lucky students.