Long Island Marathoner To Honor Veterans In 7-Day Run

LONG ISLAND, NY — Long Island marathon runner Eva Casale is off an running.

Casale is running seven marathons in seven days, making stops across the island this week to honor veterans to help support military service men and women and their families. She began her journey in Huntington on Sunday, and will continue in Suffolk County, remembering U.S. Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy and the other fallen military heroes from Brookhaven on Tuesday, according to a news release.

Casale will be running it forward every day until April 20, running 184 Miles across the island to support veterans with "Every Veteran Appreciated Week."

Day three of her seven-day run is dedicated "Michael Murphy/Brookhaven Fallen Heroes Day.”

In Part One of her marathon on Tuesday, Casale will leave the Navy SEAL museum dedicated in Murphy's honor in West Sayville, then travel on to Brookhaven with stops along the way at Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville, and other memorial locations.

In Part Two, participation runner distance will be a 5k, with the start and finish at the Patchogue-Medford High School to honor Murphy.

Casale, an ultra-marathon runner who can run long distances consecutively for days, decided to dedicate her gift for running to make a difference for veterans eight years ago.

Each marathon this week will be focused on honoring local servicemen killed in action and will be linked to communities they called home.

She is encouraging residents and businesses to display American Flags during the week.

By the end of their journey, Team E.V.A., which stands for "Every Veteran Appreciated," will have visited over 300 Points of Honor, where they will pay tribute to fallen heroes with flowers, cones, wreaths, and flags.

"This journey allows me to focus my passion for running into a powerful force for good, uniting Long Islanders in support of crucial programs and services for veterans," she said. "It's important to emphasize that 'Every Veteran is Appreciated' and to never forget their sacrifices."

Tuesday's marathon will be run by Casale and her Team E.V.A. members from around 10:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Casale's schedule Tuesday includes:

• 10:30 a.m. Michael Murphy Museum
• 12:15 p.m. MacArthur Airport - Michael Murphy Memorial
• 1 p.m. Lakeland Fire Department Memorial
• 1:15 p.m. Lake Ronkonkoma, Michael Murphy Memorial Park
• 1:45 p.m. American Legion/Ronkonkoma Veteran's Memorial
• 2:45 p.m. Farmingville Veterans Memorial
• 3:45 p.m. Brookhaven Town Hall
• 4 p.m. Bald Hill
• 5:45 p.m. Patchogue-Medford High School

Points of Honor

• 6 p.m. Patchogue-Medford High School
• 6:15 p.m. Memorial Firehouse
• 6:45 p.m. Patchogue-Medford High School Tour School

Casale can be followed on Facebook on her Team E.V.A. page where there is a link to GLYMPSE where Eva and the Team can be tracked during the marathon each day using the hashtag #WheresEva.

The team's journey began with an opening ceremony at Huntington Town Hall's Veterans Plaza.

Various Points of Honor throughout Long Island, include Northport, Long Island National Cemetery, Eisenhower Park, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Calverton, Westhampton, the South Shore, Oyster Bay, and Bayville.

It will end in Casale’s hometown of Glen Cove with a special closing ceremony at Glen Cove City Hall as she and her team cross the final finish line.

City Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said, "Team E.V.A.'s unwavering dedication to supporting and honoring Long Island's veterans is truly commendable."

Those still wishing to participate in part of Team E.V.A.'s journey can do so by donating a $30 donation for a 5k or up to a 12-mile run. The team can also be joined virtually for a $35 donation by simply running or walking a minimum of one mile each day.