Lynbrook's Quinn Madeleine Foundation’s 5K races toward success

About 350 residents — most from Lynbrook and East Rockaway and some from other parts of Long Island and areas in upstate New York and New Jersey —participated in the third annual Quinn Madeleine Foundation Feel the Breeze fun run and 5K at Greis Park on May 21.

Brett and Eileen Linzer, whose daughter, Quinn, died at 14 months due to complications of the rare disorder Niemann-Pick disease Type A, formed the foundation in 2014 in her honor. It grants wishes for children age 3 and under who are fighting rare diseases, and also works with a Colorado-based lab to offer free diagnostic testing to possible carriers of the genetic mutation that causes NPA. 

The race, which was held in Lynbrook for the first time, raised about $24,500 for the foundation, Eileen said, an increase from the $23,567 raised in 2016.

“It was great because we were at Eisenhower [Park] for the past two years, so for us it felt like home,” Linzer said. “We saw the registrations coming in, but to see everyone actually showing up and taking part — everyone that was involved was just incredibly supportive.”

Linzer added that she was thankful for the support of everyone involved, including Pat McDermott from the Lynbrook Recreation Department, the Lynbrook Police Department and the local elected officials.

Thomas Mihailin, 21, of East Northport was the first to cross the finish line, completing the race in less than 19 minutes. Before the 5K, a fun run was held for children 12 and under. Eileen said her husband Brett rode a bike ahead of the runners to serve as the pacer of the race, while her sons Colin, 9, and Reid, 7, participated in the 5K and fun run.

“It went wonderfully,” she said. “The atmosphere was fun. We had a ton of people and the weather was perfect. The course actually blocked off a few streets in Lynbrook and he folks were outside waving and cheering on the runners. It just enhanced the whole experience.”