By Marley Seaman
The second annual 5K Run/Walk for Education, sponsored this year by the National Jean Company, raised thousands of dollars to rebuild the high school track. The event was organized by the Malverne Educational and Fitness Foundation and the Rotary Club.
Phyllis Wright, President of the board of education and a member of the Rotary Club, said the group's goals went beyond the track.
"Our goal is not only to do the track. It's also the fields, and to build curriculum," she said. Improved facilities would benefit high school students, and the community members who use them.
At press time, it was not known how much money the event brought in. However, registration cost $20 prior to the race, and $25 on the day of the event, indicating that runners contributed at least $3,300. The National Jean Co. donated $5,000.
Derrick Adkins, an Olympic gold medal-winner and former world champion in the 400 meter hurdles, said he pitched in because of his own experiences at Malverne High.
"We always were struggling to pass the budget so we could put out our athletic teams," he said. "When I can do something like this, I volunteer my support."
Adkins said the track surfacing needs to be changed to rubber. It is now a gravel-like substance called "cinder," and the Educational foundation said Malverne's track is one of only two cinder track left in Nassau County. The change would benefit runners by reducing the stress on their bodies.
"Malverne has produced so many great athletes," Adkins said. "When I was in school, it was a luxury to have a rubber track. "Now, it's commonplace."
Adkins said he trained for a month to prepare for the race. His time of 21 minutes, 48 seconds was best in his age group of 35 to 39.
Gregory Padmore, a Malverne school board member, said that the district sponsored many of the students who chose to run.
"The entire football team came out," he said, joking that "They're walking, not running ‹ they don't want to get injured."
Some of the players "walked" very fast, however. The winner of the 16-to-19 division was football player Wayne James, who finished the 5K (equal to 3.1 miles) in 22 minutes, 55 seconds.
Other top finishers
Many of the fastest runners and walkers were from Malverne, West Hempstead and Lynbrook. The top three runners in the male group, age 30 to 34, were from Malverne: Dave Gildea, Gregory Shaughnessy and William Howe.
Saralee Ramsawak, who designed the t-shirts for the event, also competed, finishing third in the girls' 15 to 19 division. Ramsawak, 16, had a time of 34 minutes, 42 seconds.
Malverne Assistant Superintendent Diane Scricca had the third-fastest time for a woman between 55 and 59. She clocked in at 55 minutes, 55 seconds.
Gary Muhrcke, a Huntington resident who won the first-ever New York City Marathon in 1970, also ran in the race. Muhrcke, 66, finished with a time of 22 minutes, 9 seconds.
Comments about this story? MSeaman@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.
