Community Corner

Community Chest: $75,000 raised at Turkey Trot

The event saw a 15 percent increase in runners this year.

The official numbers are in. Nearly 2,900 people entered the , with 2,600 completing the race, an increase of 15 percent over last year. That’s according to the , which organized the race.

The race brought in $75,000 to the Chest, which distributes the money to “24 carefully screened” non-profit organizations, benefitting one in four persons in Port Washington

Other highlights, courtesy of the Chest:

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Men’s Category: The overall male winner was Taylor Titcomb, 17, who finished in 27 minutes, 29 seconds (27:29) for a 5-minute, 30-second per-mile (5:30) pace.  A product of Port Washington, Titcomb is the reigning Class AA Nassau County Champion, and currently the fastest senior in the County.  A serious road racer for years, he was Nassau County’s 8th grade Champion back in 2007, and the only Schreiber athlete to ever run four straight years at the State Meet.

Joseph Degutis, 34, of Port Jefferson (27:46, 5:34) placed second.

Marco Bertolotti, 19, (27:51, 5:34) from Port Washington, placed third. Bertolotti holds every distance record in Schreiber High School history, including the 800 meter, 1600, 3200, 4K and 5K. He also holds the sophomore record in the 1000 meter at the New York City Armory. He is a two-time Nassau County Cross Country Champion, a six-time All State runner and currently runs (and studies) at Stanford University in California.  Bertolotti placed first in the men’s overall category at the Thanksgiving Day Run last year.

Women’s Category: The overall top finisher was Kathryn Martin of Northport, 60, (32:23, 6:29). Port Washington resident Jacqueline Caufield, 47, place second (33:31, 6:43). Melissa Moschetto of Long Beach, 30, placed (33:47, pace 6:46).

Boys 12 and Under: Aaron Siff-Scherr, 12, placed first (31:55); John Finkbeiner, 12 placed second (32:57); Joseph Levine, 12, placed third (33:09) – all from Port Washington and run for Weber’s cross country team.  

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Girls 12 and Under: Maddi Jester, 11, of Port Washington, finished first (38:28); Cassie Scandalios, 12, of Port Washington, placed second (39:58); and Ashley Lesser, 12, of Roslyn Heights, placed third (42:40).

Oldest runners completing the course: Joseph Fields of Manhasset and Vera Allen of Port Washington, both 82.

For more results, visit www.FLRRT.com. To view and purchase photos, visit www.islandphoto.com, click on the Race menu and select the Port Washington Thanksgiving Day Run.

The Chest also organized a One-Mile Invitational Run for children in the running programs at Port Washington Elementary Schools.  Almost 20 children, mostly in grades 4-5, participated.

Top honors:

  • Lily Dell (Manorhaven Elementary School) placed first  (13:32)
  • Samuel Nachinson (Salem Elementary School) placed second (13:34)
  • Piper Woods (Sousa Elementary School) placed third (13:42)

More than 100 local volunteers helped, 40 from the Schreiber Key Club, and 50 other local residents, and members of the Chest board of directors.  

Platinum Sponsor ($5,000): The Slade Family Foundation.

Gold Sponsor ($2,500): Fairway Market.

Silver Sponsors ($1,000): Arizona Beverages, , , .

Bronze Sponsors ($500): , , , Bott’s Service Center, , N.A., Councilman Fred Pollack, , Footlocker, , , , K.C. AutoMarineGroup, , , George & Joan Nahas and Nahas Family, , , , , , , , Vastgood Properties, LLC, The Wedding Company, and

Mile Marker Sponsors ($250): , ,


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