50.0°,
Overcast McVey 5K, Octoberfest is Sunday
Races kick off at 8:30 a.m.; roads will be closed temporarily
Hundreds of residents will be lacing up their running shoes this Sunday at McVey Elementary School as they get set to run in the third annual McVey 5K and 1-mile fun-run. This year’s race will included added festivities — an Octoberfest fall festival, arranged by the school’s Parent Teacher Association.
Race co-founder Michael Simone, a phys.-ed teacher at the school, said he expects this year’s event to draw as many runners as last year, when almost 500 people combined to participate in both races.
But with the added draw of the fall festival, he said he hopes it will bring more people to the area to cheer on the runners. “Runners love nothing more than to be cheered on while they’re running around town,” he said.
The 1-mile run will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K at 9 a.m. Cost for the races range from $10 to $20, with a family price of $65. Proceeds will benefit the Parent Teacher Association.
The 5K course begins on school grounds, and winds through Prospect, East Meadow and Roosevelt avenues before turning back onto Prospect and finishing back at the school.
The roads will close about five to 10 minutes prior to the 5K, said Simone, and open shortly after all runners have crossed the finish line, a time span between about 8:50 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
All racers will receive a complimentary T-shirt, and trophies will be rewarded to the top finishers. There will also be DJ entertainment and post-race bagels provided by Bagelicious.
Simone said he hopes the popularity of this year’s races matches that of the previous two. “So far the first two years have been great,” he said. “The buzz in the community has been through the roof. Everyone looks forward to it.”
Simone credited the work of volunteers, adding that most McVey teachers help out in some way. He singled out Jessica Klide, the race’s co-director and an English as a New Language teacher at McVey, as a huge help.
The inaugural Octoberfest, from 8 a.m to 2 p.m., will feature vendors, live music, pumpkin painting, games, and an appearance from the BLI radio station from noon to 2 p.m. “We always wanted to do a fall fair but didn’t know when to exactly have it,” said McVey PTA co-President Jill Mallilo, who also credited her co-President Robyn Kessler and Christina Ratkewitch. “We decided to do it during and after our annual McVey 5K and fun-run. There will be something for everyone at our event and we hope everyone can join us.”
There’s still time to register for the McVey 5K, at mcvey5k.itsyourrace.com. Runners can also register on Sunday prior to the race. Questions can be directed to msimone@eastmeadow.k12.ny.us.
