The Mary Ruchalski Foundation hosted its sixth annual Mary 5K at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, continuing its mission to raise awareness and funds in the fight against pediatric cancer.
“The weather was so bright and sunny,” Carol Ruchalski of the Mary Ruchalski Foundation said of the April 11 event. “It was just such a perfect day that I really felt like Mary was with us.”
As the race began, runners took off across the park’s course, with Aaron Robertson, of Melville, finishing first in 17 minutes, 43.40 seconds. Robert Gotterbarn, of Garden City, placed second with a time of 20:32.70, followed by Pao Wang, of Westbury, in third at 21:48.00.
The top three women were Yon Chang, of Syosset, who finished in 22:17.60; Tessa Grande, of Rockville Centre, who placed second in 22:45.50; and Valentina Marquardt, of Rockville Centre, who finished third in 23:08.30.
Chang, a cancer researcher at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, thanked Ruchalski for supporting research.
“She said to me, ‘Thank you so much for giving to research,’” Ruchalski said. “And I was just like, ‘This is such a full-circle moment.’”
The event remained a meaningful tradition for the foundation, drawing strong participation from local residents and running clubs. The mix of participants helped create a lively, inclusive atmosphere while expanding awareness of the foundation’s mission.
This year’s 5K drew a strong turnout despite the holiday weekend, raising more than $3,000. In addition to the main race, a children’s race again made the event especially family-friendly.
Local students, particularly from South Side High School, played a key role in supporting the event, participating as both runners and volunteers.
A returning sponsor, the Talbot family, provided race T-shirts, helping to offset costs and maximize the impact of donations.
Beyond fundraising, the 5K served as an opportunity to bring people together in support of children and families facing pediatric cancer while honoring Mary’s legacy.
“We had such a good showing. People continue to support us, and that’s what I’m so grateful for,” Ruchalski said. “They continue to say Mary’s name and ask about her stories.”
As in years past, the event’s energy and shared purpose — from seasoned runners to young children — made the Mary 5K one of the foundation’s most anticipated gatherings, as organizers continued their goal of uniting the community, honoring Mary’s memory and advancing the fight against pediatric cancer.
For more information on the Mary Ruchalski Foundation, visit TheMaryRuchalskiFoundation.org.
