By:Nick Buglione
Although a new course had been proposed for some time and was posted on the Long Island Marathon Web site, police had yet to OK the route as late as last Friday, citing a number of logistical concerns. "There's a lot of things we have to take into consideration," said Michael Bitsko, a police spokesman.
Closing down major roads, setting up traffic detours and ensuring runner safety were just some of things police had to deal with, Bitsko said.
He explained that they also have to consider what impact the closures will have on local residents and businesses.
County Executive Thomas Suozzi was scheduled to hold a press conference on Wednesday, after press time, to formally announce the new route.
By cutting out much of the lengthy trip down the Wantagh Parkway and adding more local streets, it's hoped that the new route will encourage more spectators to come out and see the race, said Ted Bial, the marathon's race director.
At the height of its popularity, the marathon attracted as many as 10,000 runners, and officials are looking to get those numbers back up, Bial said. Last year, 4,800 runners participated.
Meanwhile, East Meadow civic leaders have expressed reservations about the move, claiming it will create safety, traffic and sanitation problems.
The 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon, set for May 2, will start and finish in Eisenhower Park, as usual. The new route, however, has runners traveling south out of the park and west on the East Meadow stretch of Hempstead Turnpike.
From there they'll head into Uniondale and snake around the area that includes Nassau Coliseum, Nassau Community College, Mitchel Field and the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Making their way back east, runners will head north on Merrick Avenue. Once at Old Country Road, they'll make a right and then turn south on Salisbury Park Drive.
Half marathon runners will double back to Eisenhower Park at Carman Avenue, while the marathoners will head north and eventually jump on the Wantagh, where they'll head south to Sunrise Highway before coming back north toward Eisenhower Park.
The old marathon, which took place mostly on the Wantagh, included far fewer streets than the new route. Runners complained that the old route was boring, Bial said, though he admitted that not everybody has been in favor of the change. "A lot of real marathon runners are not going to like this course," he said. "There's a lot more turns, and that slows you down."
There was some concern that the new route would impede access to Nassau University Medical Center, but hospital officials don't foresee any complications. "As long as the Hempstead Turnpike entrance is open for the ambulances, then we don't perceive any problems," said Shelley Lotenberg, NUMC spokeswoman.
Nassau County Legislator Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow), who has been following the issue closely, doesn't think the new route will have as much of an impact on East Meadow, as many had worried. "It doesn't look like it's going to impact neighborhood streets," she said. "The hospital seems to be on board with it, and as long as that's the case, I have no problem with it."
With several thousand participants, some observers fear that runners and spectators will leave behind a considerable mess. The marathon has garbage teams that clean up at each of its water stations, Bial said.
To see a map of the proposed course, go to www.thelimarathon.com.
