Integrated Medical Foundation (IMF) has announced that it is joining with New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), the Elmont Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) to stage the 3rd annual Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer. The 5-kilometer run, open to runners and walkers of all ages and levels of ability, will be held on Sunday, June 1, at Belmont Park, with NYRA’s Sam “Sam the Bugler” Grossman calling everyone to the post at 7:15 p.m.
The runners and walkers will traverse a USA Track & Field certified 5K course entirely within the grounds of Belmont Park, leading up to an exciting finish at the finish line on the race track.
Every entrant will receive a shirt to commemorate the occasion. “Win, place and show” awards will be presented to the top male and female overall, the male and female masters (age 40 plus) finishers, as well as the top men and women finishers in each of 16 age groups from 14 and under through 85 plus.
The grand marshal of the event will be Johnny Velasquez, the all-time money winner among North American jockeys, and winner of eight Breeder’s Cup races.
The entire net proceeds will go to benefit the foundation and its mission to promote awareness and early detection of prostate cancer as well as support services.
“The Belmont Stakes is thoroughbred racing’s premiere race which is the true test of a champion,” said Joanne K. Adams, NYRA’s director of community relations. “The Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer [run] on June 1 will be a real test for all of the champion runners as they make their way onto the dirt track at Belmont Park.”
In the 2013 edition of the run, Franklin Diaz of Farmingdale reprised his 2012 performance by scoring as the overall winner, and Stefanie Braun of Huntington outlasted 2012 winner Shari Klarfeld of Plainview to take first place honors among the women. Each of these champions will be back in 2014, and will be joined by most of the other top local runners as well.
Visit www.glirc.org for online registration. Call GLIRC at 516-349-7646 for information.
