Runners rule the streets

Wheelchair athlete Peter Hawkins mentally prepared himself at the starting line.

Theresa Exconde-Press/Herald

Second to finish the 5K race and the first woman to cross the finish line was Katie McGrath. She completed the race in less than 18 minutes, her best time.

Theresa Exconde-Press/Herald

The First to cross the finish line was Sean Collins.

Theresa Exconde-Press/Herald

South Side Middle School students at the starting line. From left are Harry Ludwig, Joe MacNair, Jarlath Byrne and Kyle Conneely.

Theresa Exconde-Press/Herald

Runners took off from the starting line on Park Avenue and Sunrise Highway.

Theresa Exconde-Press/Herald

Kristina Gozaloff, left, and Alicia Delano of Selden celebrated their completion of the 10k.

Theresa Exconde-Press/Herald

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

On Nov. 9, residents from Rockville Centre and the surrounding towns gathered in the downtown area for one of the biggest events of the year, the annual 5K and 10K race.

Last year, the race was canceled due to the damage of Hurricane Sandy. But this year, more than 900 runners came out to participate in the two races. And before that, about 200 people ran in the village’s one-mile Family Fun Run.

“It was the largest race we ever had,” said Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray. “The enthusiasm was fantastic. People were very excited to be there because we didn’t have it last year because of Superstorm Sandy.”