Schools

Strong Turnout, Mild Weather For Power Of One 5K

The annual race's first year benefiting charity draws Rolling Thunder runners, who impressed the crowd.

Record numbers of runner took to Hauppauge's streets Saturday morning for the school district's annual race.

Hauppauge's Power of One 5K Family Fun and One Mile Run drew more than 200 runners Saturday morning. Among the crowd was a sea of green, representing this year's beneficiary the Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program who served as examples of what an individual can do.

"The weather has never been this nice. We've never had this many people and its for a great cause. It's been fantastic all the way around," said race director Carol Pacileo, a physical education and health teacher at Hauppauge High School.

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Seasonably warm weather with temperatures hovering in the mid 50s brought out Hauppauge residents to run for a cause, with many returning year after year.

"Our whole family comes out every year, and there's six of us," said Lori Adams. "It's so nice for the community to get together, and for the kids to see their parents participate in something healthy."

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Among the runner was Hauppauge High School alumni Mike McCristall, class of 2006, who returned home to run a race after competing in mens cross country at Hofstra.

"I ran in college and I always wanted to run a hometown race, but I couldn't make it," McCristall. "Now I've returned.

Runners gathered for the 8:30 a.m. start in front of the high school on Lincoln road, and ran a fast-paced 5K, or 3.1 miles, on Townline Road before turning on Hoffman Lane and looping back.

"I dread Hoffman Lane. Hoffman is uphill for a quarter mile," McCristall said.

The hill may have given runners a pause, but it didn't stop top finishers from reaching the finish line in just over 16 minutes, averaging a 5 minute mile. Two members of the Rolling Thunder team placed among the top five, impressing their fellow runners.

"I'm pretty happy with the way they ran today," said Rolling Thunder president Steven Cuomo. "Just look at the ability of these kids, not their disability."

The organization participated this year after Hauppauge High School senior Nolan Conway asked that the event's proceeds go towards benefiting the running program for children with disabilities and special needs, which he has volunteered with over the past year and a half.

"When they are running for us, they are no longer disabled. They are pushed to do their best," Conway said.

Runners gathered in small groups near the finish line once they crossed, cheering on those behind them to finish.

"You know what I like about it, is it's a community event. It's about running with a  bunch of people you know and cheering each other on," Hauppauge resident Joe Petre said.

McCristal took second place in the mens' division with Steven Cuomo, Jr. taking third. Sharon Zuhoski won first place for women in just over 21 minutes followed by runner-up Mary Lenzi.

A special Power of One award was given to Hauppauge's girls varsity soccer coach Jesseca Kulesa for her work organizing Kicks For Cancer and other charitable events.


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