Running for spinal cord research in Wantagh

Close to 350 runners ran through the streets of Wantagh last Sunday morning in support of people who have suffered spinal cord injuries. The 5K race was sponsored by the Wantagh-based Testaverde Fund for Spinal Cord Injury.

Kevin McGuire, one of the event coordinators, said there were 344 participants in the race which began and ended at Wantagh High School. The foundation raised $4,500 just from registration fees, and he said the total from other donations was still being calculated, but was expected to be close to $10,000.

The foundation is named after Joe Testaverede, of Wantagh, who is paralyzed from the waist down and has lost dexterity in both hands as the result of an injury. He is also the cousin of former New York Jets quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde.

McGuire said many of the participants in the race were family members of people who have suffered a similar injury. “The sick heal the sick,” he said. “This brings that community together.”

This was the 12th annual race. For the first few years, it was held at Jones Beach before moving further north in Wantagh. All proceeds benefit spinal cord research and the Long Island Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center.