Thousands of marathoners race to the finish line

Runners take over E. Meadow streets for L.I. Marathon

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The sunny, cool weather welcomed thousands of participants from across the country at East Meadow’s Eisenhower Park last weekend for a series of races, capped by the Long Island Marathon on May 7. 

This year, more than 3,600 runners from across the country and around world signed up for the marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K and 1-mile run. Among the sites that runners could take in as they raced the 26.2-mile course was the newly renovated Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.

Out of 474 participants, Timothy Milenkevich took first place among men. The Connecticut native crossed the finish line in 2:45:35. Danya Perry, of Manhattan, finished in 3:00:54, good enough for first place among women.


The course stepped off at the Coliseum on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard and took runners through a loop around the county’s “hub,” passing by landmarks such as the Omni Building, Museum Row and the Mitchel Athletic Complex. They then ran through the Village of Westbury and traveled south on the Wantagh Parkway, which was closed for part of the day. Runners later crossed the finish line at Eisenhower Park.

For more than 40 years, runners have gathered for the marathon and its associated events. What started in the 1970s as just a 26.2-mile race now includes a multitude of races, a finish-line festival, and a two-day sports and fitness expo.

Officials said that the history of the race covers a great distance and has many twists and turns. According to the event’s website, its origins date back to the inaugural Macombs Dam Park Marathon in the Bronx in 1958. That race was later renamed the Cherry Tree Marathon, but continued to run in the Bronx until 1970, when it moved to Central Park.

Three years later, officials said, what was then known as the Earth Day Marathon was moved from Manhattan to Roosevelt Raceway. Five years later, it moved once again, to East Meadow’s Eisenhower Park, and was dubbed the Long Island Marathon.

Many runners from the South Shore were listed among the top 100 finishers this year, including Perdro Vera, 46, of Franklin Square; Victor Pajonas, 51, of Seaford; Patrick Daly, 54, of Merrick; Matthew Aiello-Iammens, 35, of Westbury; and Charlie Heym, 36, of Oceanside.

East Meadow Chamber of Commerce officials represented the community for the second straight year. Chamber members set up a tent at the Sports & Fitness Expo. Chamber President Frank Camarano Jr. said that although this year marked his first time participating in the event, he immediately saw the benefits that the race has for the local community.

Hempstead Turnpike and East Meadow Avenue were packed after the races, he said. “The good kind of traffic, though,” he said. “I saw a lot of people packing into local eateries throughout the entire weekend, especially on Sunday. I imagine the revenue for our local restaurants skyrocketed that weekend, which is a wonderful thing for our business owners and our community.”

Camarano said that he plans to attend the marathon next year with chamber members to help promote local businesses. He commended the Nassau County Police Department for keeping the community and participants safe.

“It was a carnival-like event from our point of view,” he said. “The community did not seem fazed by the road closures. Anything that happens in Eisenhower Park is fully supported by the community.”

Julie Mansmann contributed to this story.