Run for the Warriors Set for Saturday

The Town of Babylon will host its Fifth Annual Long Island Run for the Warriors on Saturday , October 20 .

This Fifth Annual Run for the Warriors - which is presented by the national, non-profit organization Hope for the Warriors - is dedicated to the Long Island troops wounded and killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Run for the Warriors is also a time to remember local heroes such as Private Specialist Jacob S. Fletcher, a Babylon resident, who was killed by a roadside bomb on Nov. 14, 2003 in Samarra, Iraq. The 29-year-old joined the United States Army following September 11 attacks. 

A portion of Deer Park Avenue in North Babylon will be renamed in his honor on Nov. 14.

"The race strives to unite the entire community, military and civilian, in a display of appreciation, compassion and solidarity for those who have served and sacrificed for this country," organizers added in the release.

The Run and Its Supporters
Distances will include a 10K, 5K and One-Mile Walk/Run, and much like last year's event more than 2,000 runners and spectators are expected to participate and attend - including Lindenhurst Village Trustee Mike Lavorata who'll be taking part in the event.

A host of wounded veterans, military families, community members and elected officials - including Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Town Supervisor Rich Shaffer - will also be on hand.

Funds raised will assist Long Island soldiers and their families, according to organizers.

The event - which is also sponsored by Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW - is set to begin at Babylon Town Hall, located at 200 East Sunrise Highway in Lindenhurst, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, and the route includes a portion of the Village of Lindenhurst's streets.

And it's set to finish at Town Hall, according to the event's website .

Specifics
Hope for the Warriors encourages residents to register online or during pre-registration from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 19. An additional charge of $5.00 will be added to the registration fee for all registrations on Saturday morning, organizers noted.

Both Friday packet pick-up, as well as same-day packet pick-up, will be at Town Hall.

Same-day registration will begin at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, and will close promptly at 8:45 a.m. Opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m., and the 5K run will begin at 9:30 a.m. The 10K run will begin at 9:45 a.m., and finally the one-mile run/walk will begin at 10 a.m.

Immediately following the conclusion of the races, Hope for the Warriors will host the awards/closing ceremony.

Awards will be presented to the top three male and female overall finishers, as well as the top three male and female in five-year age categories. Team awards will also be presented. This event will also conclude with an acknowledgement of our sponsors.

Related:

• Deer Park Ave. To Be Renamed For Fallen Iraq War Soldier 
• Photos: Fourth Annual Run for the Warriors Draws Thousands