LONG ISLAND RUNNING

Running on Long Island

Whether you are planning a vacation on Long Island or getting ready to relocate, the runner in your family will want to know where to find Long Island’s thriving running culture. LI is quite a hotbed of activity for runners, including twelve running clubs and a very active race calendar from May until December. A few of the Long Island races include the Seaford Hot Chocolate 5K Run, the Port Washington Thanksgiving Day Run, The Bayshore Half Marathon, and the Kings Park 15K. This list only scratches the surface—there are at least ten races a month during warm weather, with December being the lightest race month.

Many of the running clubs on Long Island are organized by running stores, and every runner knows the best of these stores is staffed by runners themselves. Long Island running stores include Runners Edge Long Island (www.runnersedgeny.com). This store features both a triathlon racing team and the Runners Edge Racing Team, billed as one of the most prestigious in the metro area. They train Tuesday and Friday evenings with either interval workouts or long runs depending on the day. This racing team emphasizes track and field running, training people to enter into both the Open and Masters categories in LI running events. Runners Edge is located at 294 Main Street in Farmingdale.

Super Runners Shop (www.superrunnersshop.com) is a chain store with a location in Huntington, plus an internet store. You can browse and buy in the store, or compare prices and purchase online from the comfort of home. Super Runners Shop has a good selection of track shoes; racing flats, convertibles and spikes.

Another LI running store is Quantum Feet, located at 188-13 Union Turnpike in
Fresh Meadows. (www.quantumfeet.com). This shop features informal group runs for all experience levels. Quantum Feet has indoor changing areas and fresh spring water refills for water bottles. The store hosts an annual race, the Quantum Feet 5K Run/Walk. This event has a free fun run for kids included so it is an event perfect for families. More information is available at www.qfrrc.org/race.htm.

As with any running community, Long Island runners have ‘favorite run’ locations chosen for scenic beauty or for their runner-friendly routes. A few of these locations you won’t want to miss include a ten-kilometer route at Oyster Bay. This run begins and ends at Oyster Bay’s Roosevelt Memorial Park. Another favorite route is the Long Beach Boardwalk. This is a little over two miles, and while the route is considered marked by some, it may be tough for a newcomer to follow.

For a challenging, hilly route, some are tempted by a five-mile run in St. James, beginning at the St. James firehouse. This course passes by farms, beautiful homes and nature preserves, and the hills will give a great workout. You can find plenty of information on these routes, as well as specific directions, at www.lirunning.com. This is an excellent site with plenty of recommendations, directions and details of running routes all around LI, submitted by those who run these routes and know the best places to go.

Long Island’s cold weather season does have its challenges, but plenty of people still run during the winter. The key is plenty of cold-weather gear, stretching and water. In the warmer months, stretching, hydration and sunscreen are the key as racing clubs get busy with the competition calendar; ‘just-for-fun’ runners get out to stay fit and take in Long Island’s breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re looking to stay healthy, improve your time or prepare for a big race, Long Island definitely has the resources to keep you motivated all year round.

Joe Wallace
December 13, 2005 3:54 AM Eastern

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