5K AIDS Cancer Run/Walk set for return this Sunday

Forty-four years ago, Richard Brodsky started his running journey, and since then he has notched hundreds of miles at marathons around the world. At age 69, he hasn’t stopped yet, and he will help host the 15th annual 5K AIDS Cancer Run/Walk at Baldwin Park on Sunday.

Despite what for many people would be strenuous-activity-ending setbacks — a 1997 diagnosis of HIV and a 2002 diagnosis of terminal brain cancer — Brodsky says he has seen the aging-reversing effects running can have on a person.

“From about age 59, I began to realize I could run faster as I grew older,” he told the Herald. “Granted, I did have numerous injuries and surgeries [that were] non-cancer and lots of physical therapy, but I was running faster in my 60s.”

The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation has helped sponsor events around the world, including, since 2006, the World AIDS Marathon and orphan dinner dances in Kisumu, Kenya. “Not only were we able to feed nourishing meals and dance with hundreds of Kenyan orphans,” Brodsky said, “now we were able to save Kenyan lives from malaria and parasites. Being able to help others, and especially saving lives of Kenyan orphans, was like a shot of adrenaline and it made me feel great.”

The run/walk, on the newly paved Baldwin Park pathways, will help raise funds for local organizations supporting people living with HIV/AIDS and/or cancer — like Brodsky’s foundation — while also giving back to the community. Local businesses, including GalaFresh Farms and Rachel’s Waterside Grill, will hand out shopping vouchers to eligible participants.

Franky Jorge, the new president of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, owns GalaFresh Farms, and Brodsky said that Jorge’s generosity keeps him upbeat and positive in his journey to spread awareness of the diseases. When he asked Jorge if he could donate $20 gift cards to U.S. will use about 95 percent of its refining capacity this month.

“Because of things like Covid, some refineries shut down,” De Haan explained, “and as a country, we have seen over a million barrels a day of oil refining capacity that’s now offline. And that’s permanent shutdowns. This isn’t temporary. So, as a result of Covid, we’ve lost some of the capacity to produce things like gasoline and diesel … So refining capacity is now very tight.”

Even months from now, De Haan said, consumers will be paying more at the pump. “Prices are going to remain high,” he said.

County Legislator Debra Mulé, who has advocated for county help with gas prices, said, “When our constituents are faced with economic challenges, we as elected leaders have a responsibility to deliver direct relief whenever possible. By suspending our local portion of the gasoline sales tax, we are putting real money back into the hands of consumers every time they fill up. It is the right thing to do, and I am glad that it has become a reality.”

At the federal level, the Biden administration announced at the end of March a plan to release 1 million barrels of crude oil per day from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The release, over a period of six months, will serve as what the White House described as a bridge as production ramps back up. The action comes after a release from the reserve of 50 million barrels last fall, and an additional 30 million barrels in early March.

Baldwin families who bring a child to Sunday’s event. Brodsky said, “Franky asked how many I would need.” When Brodsky asked for 40, and offered to give Jorge $10 back for each card, Jorge told him that wasn’t necessary, and that he’d be happy to help.

Brodsky, an architect, runs nearly every race with his wife of 42 years, Jodi. The couple got engaged three months after their first 5-mile running date, at which Brodsky thought he could talk Jodi into slowing down, since he was new to running. But her response was, “Could you stop talking so much?” and they’ve been running together ever since.

Now, with three daughters and three grandchildren, Richard says he “Tell(s) our kids we may not be able to leave you millions, but we can leave you the best running genes.”

Although he is originally from Atlantic Beach, Baldwin is a special place for Brodsky. He feels connected to the community as a member of the chamber, he said, and residents welcome the annual 5K.

On Sunday, heroes, wraps and pasta will be provided by Tamburino’s, of Cedarhurst, Pantano’s, of Uniondale, Remy’s, of Hewlett, and SaVinos, of Lynbrook. The Baldwin Starbucks will offer coffee. Numerous vendors will have tables and tents, some with free giveaways and raffles, and trophies and medals will be awarded to the top runners in each age group. For more information, go to the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for the event flier.