RUNNING
Gearing Up For A St. Patrick’s Run
By Alessandra Malito/amalito@longislandernews.com

As the days go on, the weather gets warmer, and what better way to celebrate the nice breeze than with a Town of Huntington tradition?

This year’s annual St. Patrick’s Four Mile and Fun Runs is on March 20, hosted by the Townwide Fund of Huntington.

“It’s a great kickoff race for the season,” said Race Chairperson Bea Hartigan. “It helps support our major agencies which are much in need of financial support in these trying times.”

The Fun Run will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 4-mile run at 9 a.m. The race will start and finish at Coindre Hall on Browns Road in Huntington.

The run is the first event of the year for the Townwide Fund, a nonprofit that works to bridge the gap between dwindling governmental support for local charities and the increasing needs of community residents. Recently, a $100,000 check was presented by the Townwide Fund to 21 charities during their annual board meeting.

“That check represented what we donated to our member agencies for last year,” said Hartigan. “We are very proud that the money that we raised stays here to help agencies who provide health and human services to our community.”

The St. Pat’s Run has been going on for the past 15 years, growing as each year passes. Last year, there were approximately 500 registrants. The fund also hosts a similar run for Thanksgiving, which has been going on for the past 25 years. Over 1,100 runners participated in 2009.

The St. Pat’s Run will be sponsored by the Melville Law Firm of Carter, DeLuca, Farrell and Schmidt – their third time doing so.

A bagpiper will send the runners off and welcome them back. There will be a drawing as well, in which each runner is automatically entered.

“They don’t have to be buying raffle tickets,” said Hartigan. “Once they’re registered, they’re in.”

For more information, or to register, you can visit the Super Runners Shop on New York Avenue in Huntington or visit www.townwidefund.org.