The 44th annual LI Division USA Track & Field 8K Championship drew a great group of runners, volunteers, sponsors, and onlookers on Oct. 23. The annual event has been a Long Island staple put on by the members of the New Hyde Park-Mineola Runners Club.
The 8K, which is almost five miles, kicked off at 8:00 a.m. at the Town of North Hempstead Clinton G. Martin Park.
This is a new venue for the event after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. With the timely help of the Lakeville Estates Civics Association, and Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, the race got off to a wonderful 8 a.m. start and wound its way through local roads.
The supervisor then joined approximately 200 runners for community, sport, and fitness. The 8K was preceded by a children’s fun run.
“This is exceptional LI and community event,” said Stephen Cipot and Christopher Miceli, both members of the New Hyde Park-Mineola Runners Club. “We host one of the oldest races on Long Island, and we are one of the oldest LI running clubs. We are all volunteers and really enjoy giving back to our community. We are always striving to improve the event and have already begun planning for next year’s event. With the Town’s help we hope to be able to sponsor the USA T&F Divisional and even National 8K road race.”
The race was preceded by a commemoration presented by Running Club President Harold Axelrod. This year’s race was dedicated to longtime New Hyde Park resident George Erkmann who recently passed away.
Erkmann was a dedicated runner who founded the club some 46 years ago and could easily manage a 3-hour marathon. Mr. Erkman was an engineer at Sperry, which at one time was one of LI’s largest defense contractors located on Union Turnpike and Lakeville Roads. George started a community running club and a running club at Sperry.
Runners recalled George telling a story that because Sperry was owned and overseen by the military, so he had to get permission from the military to form a Sperry running club. Prior
Colonels had said it was not possible because of liability issues and it wasn’t related to defense. As an engineer of course George had a plan and kept at it until he asked a rotating Colonel who was also a runner to cut through all the red tape—“for health and fitness,” George beamed.
George Erkmann’s spouse and four family members were honored before the start of the race.
The local American Legion post provided the color guard and kicked off the 8K race.
The first place award in all divisions was $75, second place was $50 and third place was $25. Larger awards can be offered with additional sponsorships to sweeten the pot, Cipot said. Many runners came from NHP and adjacent communities.
Proceeds from the race support not only the 8K, but also the Mineola and Garden City Park Ambulance Corps, Nassau County Firefighters with the Operation Wounded Warrior Program (NCFF OWW), and local Scouts.
This year a local Girl Scout Troop pitched in as well. Scouts receive community service medals and the Runners Club donates extra proceeds back to the troops.
Over the years, the race has raised more than $35,000 for the Nassau County Firefighters, and thousands of dollars for local organizations. “The NCFF OWW provides benefits and services to wounded LI veterans above and beyond what the VA provides, including veterans living in the greater New Hyde Park, Mineola, Williston Park area,” the Runners said about the nonprofit. “We look forward to hosting the 8k and children’s run in 2023. Health, wellness, and community is what it’s all about.”
Submitted by Stephen Cipot and Christopher Miceli
