Lynbrook man wins L.I. Marathon

Lynbrook resident Shaun McGrath, 32, won the Long Island Marathon with a finishing time 2:39. Last year he finished in eighth place with a time of 2:57.

“I felt confident,” said McGrath, who works out seven days a week to prepare for his run. “It was very warm toward the second half of the marathon, but I felt strong.”

The Long Island Marathon is held every year on the first Sunday in May. The 26.2-mile race starts on Charles Lindbergh Blvd. and finishes in Eisenhower Park. A half marathon and 10K race also take place on the same day, and a 5K race takes place the day before.

McGrath’s brother, Dan, won the L.I. Marathon last year and in 2008. “He was on his bike for much of the course, talking me through it.” He said that Dan did not participate this year due to a hip injury, from which he is recovering.

This was McGrath’s twelfth marathon and the third time he has run in this particular event, having competed in 2008, 2010 and 2011. He trains every day, peaking at 80 or 90 miles week, and has run up to 24 miles on the weekends. He has twice represented the USA at international roller hockey competitions and came in third at the Building Homes for Heroes run last year. He and Dan also compete for the Lynbrook Track Club.

“He was my inspiration to begin in my distance running career,” McGrath said of his brother. “I used to run 3-4 miles a day for hockey, but after a few longer training runs with Dan during school breaks, I became hooked on distance running.” He primarily played hockey throughout high school and college, and won seven national championships. He works as a structural and project engineer.

“I want to thank my family and friends who were there cheering me on,” McGrath said.

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