Montauk Pioneer - May 16, 2008 -

The Fourth Annual Montauk Mother's Day 5K Run was a smashing success with 88 runners participating. The event was created by The Montauk Youth Inc., which was created four years ago in an effort for East Hampton High School students to accomplish their community service requirements and to help support a specific family in need. With all the original founders of Montauk Youth Inc. being graduates from East Hampton High School, the tradition continues with new students taking up the responsibility to do their community service. So there at the gazebo on the green in Montauk at eight o'clock Mother's day morning were Calli Stavola, Dustin Lightcap, Evan Lightcap, Alex Cogen and Joanne Murphy, setting up sign up tables, slicing oranges, taping up the finish line and organizing. The table for the raffle was set up by Megan Farnham, with watchful supervising by Julia Stavola.

Just like last year, the weather was superb, a cloudless sunny morning, crisp, perfect for running. It was Montauk at its best with fresh sea air, brilliant morning sunlight over the Atlantic Ocean and the village green truly spring green. The first two to sign up at 8:15 a.m. were Amanda Rivera, who received the #1 tag, and Shana Whelan, who wore the #2 tag. Slowly but steadily more participants arrived until the 9:00 a.m. race time had 88 sign ups, 18 more than last year. There were young grammar school aged girls and boys, as well as grandparents running with their children and grandchildren. There were moms, dads, and practically all types. In fact they arrived on scooters, on bikes, in mini vans, with babies in carriages and dogs on leashes. An example was Grandfather Al Kennebeck, who would walk the 5K with granddaughters Courtney Nice, (her actual full name is Courtney B. Nice) and 18-month old Sam Nice. It was just so pleasant an atmosphere pre race, with the excitement building and the camaraderie obvious. Mothers and dads were there to support their children and children were there to support them. When it was race time the East Hampton Town Police stopped traffic and the 4th Annual 5K Mother's Day Run around Fort Pond Lake began.

Lined up across Main Street facing west, the line of runners and walkers was impressive, as was the enthusiasm of the 9:00 a.m. start, which went off on time. The runners were off and running down to the lake. One second there were 88 people there and then 3 minutes later it was quiet. The anticipation at the finish line was building as the volunteers prepared to record the 88 runners' and walkers' times on clipboards and index cards. The water bottles were positioned near the finish line along with the snacks. It was gratifying to see the young high school students going about these chores like seasoned veterans. Their parents and teachers should be commended on a job well done, raising and teaching these students.

Eighteen minutes and one second later Patrick Reilley passed the finish line first, followed by last year's winner Andy Ring. This year Andy's time was 19:20. He confessed he spent the night before out on the town, but still showed up to defend his title. The first female finisher was fourteen-year-old Alex Keogh with a time of 20:34. Then the steady flow of finishers started to run past the finish line. Finishing 15th was Angelica Cruz, who ran while pushing her 3-month-old daughter Daisy Pitches in a carriage, with a time of 24:44. Daisy's dad Dan Pitches, wearing his Yankee cap, was proud of his ladies. He called Daisy, "first baby in the 5K."

Finishing 20th with a time of 26:20 was Jessica Stevens who ran with her dog "Luke," a yellow lab. Luke, seemed ready to do it again but Jessica was slightly winded. Kirsten Frierson of Montauk wore #31 and was proud of her effort. She has just moved to Montauk after living in Florida. The buzz was one of accomplishment, pride and euphoria. It was a wonderful morning to be in Montauk and it was an event that reminded all of us of how truly lucky we are here.