Hundreds of spectators and runners came out Sunday morning to Lakeville Road in New Hyde Park for the 13th annual Katie’s Run to honor the memory of Katie McBride and raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House.

The event is held in honor of Katie McBride, who died at age 11 in 2008 from a rare cancer known as Burkitt’s Lymphoma. The 5K run in the village and ensuing barbeque at Memorial Park is another example to show what community support is all about. 

“All the support is phenomenal, the New Hyde Park community is the best,” Jeanne McBride, Katie’s mother, told Blank Slate Media. “We had so many organizations come out and help us. There were so many volunteers, they give us tremendous support and we are so blessed.”

The run is sponsored by the Katie McBride Foundation, which Michael McBride and Jeanne created to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro in the village, where the McBrides stayed while Katie received treatment.

Since 2010, the foundation has raised $485,000 overall with $185,000 going to the Ronald McDonald House and $300,000 to other charities, scholarships and families in need. In 2014, the Ronald McDonald House dedicated its new Katie McBride Fitness Center with funds raised from Katie’s Run.

The foundation also gives five scholarships to graduating seniors from New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Chaminade High School and East Islip High School.

Sunday’s festivities included the 5K run, two-mile walk and post-run festival featuring a barbecue, children’s activities and a short “fun run” to the 5K finish line. 

Joseph Mansour was the first runner to complete the 5K with a time of 18:30.95, a mile pace of 5:58. The first female to complete the run was Karen Melara, who did so in 20:07.58. 

McBride thanked all the sponsors of the event for their support, including the Sponsor of the Year, Trinity Restaurant on 190 Jericho Turnpike in Floral Park. McBride also thanked the Sakowich family for donating food and the Sharvin family for barbecuing. 

“I want to thank everyone in the community who gave their support,” McBride said. “From those who came to run, who bought raffle tickets, it was a really fun and really great day.”