Marcie Mazzola Run This Weekend

This story was written by Elise Pearlman and posted by Pam Robinson.

On Sunday, the streets of Huntington will reverberate with the sound of pounding feet as hundreds of runners take part in the seventh annual Marcie Mazzola Memorial 5K Run/Walk. This event is a part of the Grand Prix Series of Long Distance Running and is sanctioned by USA Track & Field.

The run/walk is a tribute to Marcie, a spirited and highly empathic 1999 Commack High School graduate who lost her life in a car accident in July 2002.  

Nancy Mazzola, president of the Marcie Mazzola Foundation, said that when the family endeavored to do something in Marcie’s honor, they thought of her love of children and her wish to help youngsters at risk or who had suffered abuse. 

The foundation, whose motto is “helping children in need,” has steadfastly pursued these objectives that were at the heart of Marcie’s  being.

Since its inception in 2003, the foundation has raised more than a half million dollars for children’s causes, including EAC’s Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center, Smile Train,  the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect, Island Harvest, Family Service League, New York Organ Donor Network, and the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk.

The foundation was recently honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Long Island. Nancy and Paul Mazzola also  received the Huntington YMCA’s "Adults of the Year" Award in recognition of their ongoing philanthropic support of the Huntington YMCA and its goals.

The event, which will be held rain or shine, begins at 8  a.m. at the Huntington YMCA with a non-competitive, half-mile fun run for children, 10 years old and under.

The 5K Run/Walk kicks off at 8:30 am on Park Avenue. The 3.1 mile race  takes runners on a scenic tour of some of Huntington’s most popular streets, including Woodhull Road, Spring Road,  Prime Avenue, and Sabbath Day Path.

Disposable timing chips which fit on the racing bib will be provided, and the race is measured, timed and managed by the Start 2 Finish Corporation.

Registration is required for all participants and the fee for 5K runners is $30.   

To register online, go to www.active.com or visitwww.MarcieMazzolaFoundation.org  and  download an application which can be mailed to the address provided for the foundation.   

On Saturday, those who have preregistered can pick up their race packet at the Huntington YMCA from 10 am to 4 pm.

Runners and walkers can also register on race day from 6:45 to 8 a.m. while those who have already registered can check in at the Huntington YMCA, 60 Main St., Huntington.

No numbers will be issued after 8 a.m. on Sunday and running chips will only be given out that day.

First place male and female winners will receive trophies and one-year Huntington YMCA memberships.  Information about other awards can be found on the application.  Young fun-runners will receive medals, there will be  raffle prizes and children can have their faces painted by representatives from Splashes of Hope.

Proceeds will be used to establish YMCA summer camp scholarships for underprivileged children, and will also benefit the New York Organ Donor Network and Splashes of Hope, which is located in Huntington. Last year the race raised more than $25,000 for these causes.

To learn more about the foundation, visitwww.marciemazzolafoundation.org.