By Danny Teigman and Mary Malloy
Some 950 participants braved last weekend's winter chill to show their support for the Fly With The Owls Committee and the Lynbrook Community Coalition, two groups dedicated to providing social outlets and activities for teens in order to keep them away from drugs, alcohol and other destructive activities.
Last year the event attracted 700 runners and brought in roughly $25,000, according to Community Coalition Director Tom Lynch. This year's event was expected to bring in a similar total, which will help sponsor events like the high school's SNL Night and purchase T-shirts for the district's increasingly popular annual staff basketball and volleyball games.
But for many, running was less about raising funds than it was about simply enjoying the day, testing one's endurance and reveling in community spirit. At 9 a.m., runners lined up along Merrick Road by Lynbrook North Middle School, some stretching their legs, others jogging in place, all waiting for a 10-second countdown. As the race began, teachers, students, young and old were cheered along by enthusiastic crowds lining the streets. Volunteers spread out along the 4-mile course, alerting runners to its 18 turns while the Lynbrook Boy and Girl Scouts, among others, offered them water.
"I'm walking in it and I'm very excited," said Marianna Flannery, a Marion Street Elementary School second-grade teacher.
"Well it's the second year and it's a great day," added Barbara Moore, Marion Street's principal. "It's fun to see all the kids here."
As for what motivated Angela Biondi, a Lynbrook High School sophomore, to run in the brisk December air, she said, "I like running and I'm on cross-country." Although she was skeptical about whether events like SNL Night would catch on and be successful in turning wayward teens around, Biondi thought the race was a great way to foster community spirit. "We should definitely have more events like this," she said.
Later, as runners passed the 3-mile mark, some coughs and tired moans could be heard, but no one showed signs of giving up. "It's hard and it's cold," said Luke Reilly, a Lynbrook South seventh-grader. "I'm trying to beat a goal of 45 minutes."
Jason Lynch, 17, a Lynbrook High senior, finished second overall, less than a minute behind the winner, 27-year-old Marco Monjardin. "I couldn't be too disappointed with coming in second because of how spread out the race was," Lynch said. "I wasn't really in contention to win the race after the first mile, because Marco was too strong for me."
Other winners included West End fourth-grade teacher Lisa Soethout in the school district's teacher/staff women's category. In the District 20 resident category, Brendan Brethel, 17, took first place, while Russell Larson, 16, finished second and Brandon Rosenberg, also 16, took third. The top female finishers in the district were Shannon Murphy, 30, Kaitlin Storduer, 15, and Cassie Papandrew, 15.
Eight-year-old Morgan Smithwick, who ran in the half-mile fun run and was wearing a medal of completion to prove it, said, "I had a lot of fun running with my friends." When asked if she was ready for the bigger run next year, she added, "I think I'll wait till I'm a little older."
Only a few hundred feet from the finish line, one girl commented to another, "I wish I had a jet pack."
The oldest runner in the race was octogenarian William Benson of Valley Stream, who placed second in the men's 80-99 age category. "It was a great race," Benson said. "Each year I look forward to it. This year I did 4 1/2 minutes better than last year's race." Benson stays in shape by running on the Valley Stream South track, and was last year's champion at 800 meters and a mile in his age group at the National Masters Indoor Championship in Boston -- where he will be returning in March. "I was sick this last summer and I couldn't run," Benson said Benson, who has two sons and four granddaughters. "It was terrible -- I can't image a life without running."
After the race, its co-director, Cathy Papandrew, said that it was a tremendous success and that she was thankful for such a gorgeous day. "I think it was extremely successful," she said. "It was a wonderful day for Lynbrook, and I'm already looking forward to next year."
For complete race results, see www.flywiththeowls.com.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
