Graybeards Bring Fun for the Family
By Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg
The 20th edition of the Graybeards Family Run once again provided one of the highlights of summer in Rockaway, producing a fabulous night with over 300 runners participating in at least one race, despite the heat, on Friday, July 28.
Spectators more than doubled race attendance, cheering the runners of all ages, and then convening in the Fr. Grogan Memorial Schoolyard at St. Francis de Sales, to celebrate with food and beverages, music from the Beast and the Beauty (Billy Fleming and Pete Brady), games and children’s rides, raffles and awards.
The children’s races kicked things off at 6:30 p.m. with waves of runners pouring down Rockaway Beach Blvd. to receive their ribbons after completing their trek. Rockaway’s Special Athletes followed, drawing a tremendous response from the crowd. The 1 Mile set off at 7 p.m. and Ryan Jaipaul was first in 5:31. Cade Jaipaul, Trayce Figueroa, Timmy Nichtern, and Sawyer Bagley completed the top five males. Olivia Teich was the female champion in 6:34, followed by Nora Miller, Maryann Polanco, Siobhan O’Sullivan, and Jillian Heeran. This year’s 5k race again featured segments along the boardwalk, Rockaway Beach Blvd., and Neponsit Avenue. Joe Redmond is this year’s champion, winning in 17:33. Aidan Donohue and Fred Murgida were next behind Redmond. Elle Riches defended her championship on the female side. Devin Parchment was second, and Morgan Harkins third.
Age Group winners were as follows:
12 and under- Male- Shane Tubridy, Female- Logan Leahy
13-15 Male- Cole Miller, Female- Lexi Gennaro
16-20-Male- Connor Monahan, Female- Keira O’Sullivan
21-29-Male- Ryan Hoffman, Female- Kristin Schultz
30-39-Male- Lou Maiocco, Female- Nicole Magniccari
40-49-Male- James McKeon, Female- Kerry Brady
50-59-Male- Justin Flanagan, Female- Christine Mullally
60-69-Male- Steve Gifford, Female- Moira Tolan
70-79 Male- Russell Hauk, Female- Jackie McGinty
Many thanks for this great evening are due to our sponsors- Footlocker (Jeanne Lavin Zocks), The Rockaway Times, The Wave, Harbor Light, Jameson’s, Bungalow Bar, and Bugalou Productions; NYPD and 100 Pct CAO Farrell and Haber; NYC Parks; DSNY (Kevin Bagley and JoJo O’Grady); Fr. Bill, Fr. Jim, and the SFDS rectory Staff; Race Director Joe Featherston; Jim and Charmaine McVeigh of Rockaway Track Club/Boardwalk Timing; Felix Gilroy, Chris Gilroy, Siobhan Fitzgerald, John Edwards, and Paul Richter; Bill Egan, Billy Egan, Mike Egan and WPE Catering; Allison Bagley and Cate Green, Graybeards Administrative wonder woman Jean Condon; all my fellow Graybeards who turned out to volunteer in droves, and all the runners and their families. Mark your calendar for the 21st annual Graybeards Family Run on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Photos by Tom Farley and Katie McFadden.
