Graybeards Family Run a Success
By Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg
The 21st edition of the Graybeards Family Run once again provided one of the highlights of summer in Rockaway, producing a fabulous night with more than 350 runners participating in at least one race on a beautiful Rockaway night. 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 Billy Fleming Trio, games and children’s rides, raffles and awards.
The children’s races kicked things off at 6:30 p.m. with waves of young 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 John Curley finished first. Tommy Aiken, Timmy Nichtern, Jack O’Grady, and Thomas Anderson completed the top five males. Dylan Courtney was the female champion, followed by Maeve Powell, Meghan McCormick, McKenzie Egan and Kate Theis. This year’s 5K race again featured segments along the boardwalk, Rockaway Beach Blvd., and Neponsit Ave. Cole Miller is this year’s champion, winning in 18:06. Patrick Goldberg and Fred Murgida were next behind Miller. Elle Riches made it a 3-peat on the female side with a time of 22:03. Kerry Brady was second, and Meghan Murphy third.
Age Group winners were as follows:
12 and under- Male – Shane Tubridy, Female – Mary Tuma
13-15 Male – Nick Donovan, Female – Tess Riches
16-20-Male – Sean Byrne
21-29-Male – Alex Goldberg, Female – Caroline Gifford
30-39-Male – James Goldberg
40-49-Male – Nick Cromie, Female – Lauren Koester
50-59-Male – Tom Patchett, Female – Skippy Doyle
60-69-Male – Steve Gifford, Female – Patricia Loughran
70-74 Male – Tom Tobin, Female – Jackie McGinty
75 and over- Male – Thomas Hart
Many thanks for this great evening are due to our sponsors: Footlocker (Jeanne Lavin Zocks), The Rockaway Times, The Wave, Harbor Light, Jamesons, Bungalow Bar, and Bugalou Productions; NYPD and 100 Pct CAO Farrell and Byrd; 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, John Hutton, Siobhan Fitzgerald, John Edwards, and Paul Richter; Bill Egan, Billy Egan, Mike Egan and WPE Catering; Allison Bagley, Jean Bagley, Brian Tolan, Joseph Featherston, Kim Green and Cate Green, new Graybeards Administrative Assistant Suzanne Blum; all my fellow Graybeards who turned out to volunteer in droves; and all the runners and their families. Mark your calendar for the 22nd annual Graybeards Family Run on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Photos by Meg Anderson, Jeanne Ferriola and Katie McFadden.
