Monday, December 2, 2024
Front Street buzzed with excitement early Saturday morning as runners and spectators gathered for the start of the 45th annual Rockville Centre 5K and 1-mile family fun run.
“This race brought together family, friends, neighbors, and runners for a fun-filled morning around our beautiful village,” Mayor Francis X. Murray said after the event.
More than 600 participants of all ages and abilities took part, including over 400 runners who registered for the 5K and nearly 200 who joined the fun run.
“This is one of the biggest turnouts we’ve had,” said Recreation Department Superintendent Karen Polito. “The numbers have definitely increased in recent years.”
Murray thanked Polito, her staff, and the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce for organizing the event. He also acknowledged the Rockville Centre Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, and Nassau County Mounted Police for ensuring the event’s success.
“This year we have more racers than ever,” Murray said. “It’s been a great showing by all the runners. The Village of Rockville Centre is proud to have residents come out and participate like this each year.”
Village Trustee Katie Conlon said its events like the annual 5K and family fun run that make Rockville Centre such a desirable community to live and raise a family.
“Each year, I look forward to seeing familiar and new faces take part in this wonderful race,” Conlon said.
Mike Luvin, 24, a South Side High School graduate, was the first to cross the finish line, completing the 5K in 16 minutes and 52 seconds—45 seconds faster than his time last year. He credited his four months of marathon training for the improvement.
Former two-time champion David Putterman, 42, finished third overall with a time of 18 minutes, while Mary Kate Giordano, 36, of Rockville Centre, led the women’s division, finishing in 20 minutes and 10 seconds.
The event welcomed participants of all ages and abilities, from first-time runners to seasoned marathoners, in a celebration of fitness and community.
Joel Junker, 58, placed 44th overall and second in the 55-59 men’s age group with a time of 21 minutes and 39 seconds. “I did pretty good for 58,” Junker said with a laugh. “Not too bad for an old man.”
South Side High School cross-country runners Dakota Jensen and Nick DeSena, both 14, finished second and third in their age group, separated by just seconds.
Joshua Edwards, 39, said he began training in June and was thrilled with his performance.
“It went great,” he said. “I beat my personal record.”
Juliana Pellegrini, 28, participated for the first time alongside her brothers, Peter, 23, and Thomas, 28. She finished second in her age group with a time of 24 minutes and three seconds.
“It was awesome,” Pellegrini said. “I did better than I expected.”
The race also welcomed seasoned marathoner Randell Hansen, 45, a former Rockville Centre resident now living in Sacramento, California. Hansen completed the 5K in 20 minutes and 19 seconds, finishing first in the 45-49 age group.
Hansen, who has run marathons in all 50 states, recently competed in the 2024 TCS London Marathon and is currently preparing for the 2025 Tokyo Marathon in hopes of earning the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six-Star Medal.
The event concluded with an award ceremony on the village’s new mobile bandstand, where winners in each age and gender category received medals.
