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From the first year the Shelter Island 10K Run was held, it was not who finished first but rather the course's picturesque serenity, diverse and enthusiastic participants, spirited and volunteer-minded community and the of notion of charity and good will that were the lifeblood of the event. Over the next quarter century, the finishing times would dwindle while the participant numbers have increased nearly fourfold at times from the 650 original runners in 1980 the first year the race was held. It was Justin Gubbins and Burke Koncelik who took the inaugural men's and women's honors with times of 31:04.4 and 39:08.8 respectively. This year, as the storied, summer race marks its 27th anniversary, some of the names and faces associated with the race have changed, and some remain.
One thing that has held true is the notion that the race represents something more than just a start, a finish, and lot of huffing and puffing in between. The Shelter Island 10K has taken the sport of running - as individual an athletic event as there is - and molded it into as true a sense of community as there is. Whether dispensing water to runners or helping clean up afterwards, or someone making a donation to long time benefactor Special Olympics, or someone hosting a runner who's traveled great distances to partake - the Shelter Island 10K has grown to represent the Island on which it takes place. 1981
In only the race's second year, the Nike Shoe Company joined South Ferry as a co-sponsor of the race, bringing with them several nationally-ranked runners and in the process, significantly increasing the competitiveness of the race in a way that would put it on the regional map like never before.
Bruce Bickford was the top finisher for the men with a Long Island record of 28:58.6 and Sue King for the women with a time of 34:26.4, also a Long Island record.
1982 An impressive 1,640 runners registered for the race which in only its third year was beginning to attract some strong regional running talent. Suffolk Times photographer Judy Aherns won first place for sports photography for her at the 1982 New York Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest for her "Off and Running" shot of the race's beginning. In three years the race has already raised more than $19,000 for the Suffolk County Chapter of the Special Olympics as well as other local causes. Top Finishers: Gary Hoefstetter at 29:40 for the men and Sandy Cullinane at 34:30 1983
The Girl Scout troops stuffed envelopes with race applications and the Center Fire Department hosted a feast with local delicacies including fresh mussels and clams. At the race's conclusion, the crowds trundled up to the Shelter Island Country Club for a post-race party top off another successful race weekend. This years race also marked the emergence of the "Adopt a Runner" program which paired gracious Island hosts with runners from other states and even other countries. The biggest field yet - 1,800 entries - were on hand to see Judi St. Hillaire, a 23 year-old University of Vermont Graduate, set an American Record for her age, winning the race at 32:54.2. Sosthenes Bitok, a 33 year-old Kenyan, won the men's field with a time of 29:25.8, helping prompt Runner's World and The Runner - the only two national running magazines to rank the Shelter Island 10K as one of the nation's top road races. 1984
With last year's record time on the women's side and the race's growing notoriety, the pace was picking up not only for the contestants but also for the hundreds of volunteers who help make it happen. Ambrose Salmini of Salmini Films, Inc. was busy compiling his race weekend footage to show at the annual Pasta Party in Dering Harbor. Race organizers had more people and assignments to hand out than ever before, and Betty Taybert was overseeing housing for some 50 invited athletes. Garth Griffin oversaw hard-
working Highway Department employees who set up and broke down the starting and finishing areas. Bob and Sue Clark had their hands full organizing the now-infamous post race party at Goat Hill. Race Registrar Jackie Tuttle and Diane Kilb were busier than ever organizing the 8,000 entry forms and nearly 2,000 registrants. The race even got a bit of a political boost when then Suffolk County Executive Peter Cohalan officially proclaimed June 23, 1984 as "Shelter Island Run Day" and called on citizens far and wide to "support the ten kilometer run to help insure a better quality of life for those children who are less fortunate than us." The top finisher on the men's side was George Buckheit at 29:42.4, and Teri Tiso was the top woman at 35:09.
1985 This years' race was the most diverse to date, with 168 students and teachers, 142 lawyers, 52 stockbrokers, 47 bankers, 43 accountants, 82 salespeople and 64 engineers, among others, participated in the race. The post race party was as big a hit as ever, where everyone was treated to a performance by the South Ferry Band, whatever happened to them anyway? To date, the event had raised $37,837 for the Suffolk County Special Olympics and $19,475 for the Shelter Island 10K Run Community Fund, which benefits local causes such as Ambulance Corps, school scholarships and the Community Youth Center. Top finisher were Dean Kimball on the men's side at 29:16 and Jeanne Pare for the women at 35:08. Both times were course records under the newly-certified course.
1986 Jackie Tuttle had been volunteering to help with the annual race ever since co-founder Cliff Clark called her the night before the first race in 1980 asking her to handle registration for the some 600 registrants. When she heard it was to benefit Special Olympics, she agreed. The next year she got Diane Kilb to join in the registration and the two have been working it ever since, seeing the numbers of registrants triple in the race's first six years. The field increased to around 1,500 runners this year, and to date, the 10K had raised $37,837 for the Suffolk County Special Olympics and another $20,147 for Shelter Island charities. After several years away from the winner's circle, Bruce Bickford returned to reclaim victory with a time of 29:38. First-time winner Candy Strobac Meighan was the woman to finish at 36:03.
1987 Co-founder Cliff Clark continued his streak of being strangely noticeably absent during race day. But his hard work - as well as the countless hours of the 150 volunteers who were busier than ever overseeing the more-than 1,900 entrants in this years race and setting up the more than 4,000 bottles of soda, 50 cases of water, 20,000 cups, 100 tables, seven tents, 4,000 candy bars, 15 cases of oranges, 40 cases of bananas and nearly a mile of snow fencing.
Dry, seasonable weather helped top finishers Yobes Ondeiki on the men's side, who set a new course record as well as Long Island 10K record at 28:52, and Christine McMiken, a New Zealand Olympian, on the women's side at 33:18, also a course record.
The Shelter Island Women's 5-Kilometer Run had now become an Island tradition in its fourth year and again registration was continuing to climb. The same could be said of its big brother. This year at more than 1,500 registered for the Shelter Island 10K. The event was also starting to really catch on amongst "the industry." Running Times, which billed itself as "the national calendar magazine for runners," lead its 1988 guide list of summer and fall 10K road races with the Shelter Island 10K, describing the venue as "a beautiful course along wooded country roads." Indeed. Zak Barie, a Tanzanian Olympic hopeful, took the men's title at 29:46. Christine McMiken wins for the second year in a row, finishing in 33:43.
Jill Tuttle Albiani, who had been faithfully chronicled each race's more interesting moments since its inception, reported that to date, the Shelter Island 10K had raised in excess of $100,000 for Suffolk County Special Olympics and more than $50,000 for the Shelter Island 10K Run Community Fund. All told there have been 14,904 runners who have crossed the finish line, along the way consuming 60,000 granola bars, 51,2000 glasses of Great Bear water, 21,120 orange sections, 18,000 bottles of soda - all handed out by the 1,400 volunteers who have made the event what it is. This year's local benefactors included the Shelter Island Public Library, which received $500 to build shelves for its video library collection. Mashomack Preserve received $5,000 to construct a handicapped-accessible train. The local chapter of the Red Cross received $2,000 for renovation of the disaster area in the medical center and the Senior Citizen's Affairs Council received $300 for its home care program. Top finishers were Joseph Nzau on the men's side at 29:34 and Gordon Bloch on the women's side at 33:49.9.
1990 With the 10K race now in existence for more than a decade, event creators decided to add on to the successful event. Thus, in 1990, those who didn't want to run but nonetheless wanted to take part in the race were able to partake in the 1st Annual Shelter Island 10K Racewalk division of the race. Who knew? The British were responsible for formalizing the rules of racewalking, which became an Olympic event in 1904 for the men. Women got their own racewalking event in the 1992 Olympics with the introduction of the 10,000 meters.
With the 10K road race now a proud big brother to the racewalk, it seemed an appropriate time to reflect on the main beneficiary of the event - the Suffolk County Special Olympics. Interesting enough, the Special Olympics was created in 1968 by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation with Eunice Kennedy Shriver acting as the organization's president. The New York Special Olympics was organized in 1969 by Dorothy Beuhring Phillips with the Suffolk County Special Olympics created two years later in 1971. The Shelter Island 10K hadn't been around that long, but nonetheless since 1980 had grown now to boast a main sponsor list that had grown to include, in addition to the South Ferry Company, Custom Computer Specialists, the North Ferry Company, Taco Bell and Ronzoni.
Oh, and the South Ferry Band rocked out again at the post-race party, and the Shelter Island 10K Community Fund helped fund the creation of a "Barrier-Free" trail at Mashomack Preserve. Gordon Bloch repeated as the top woman to finish, besting her winning time last year by some 14 seconds to win this year's race at 33:35. Tom Wood was the top men's finisher at 29:30.
Cliff Clark stepped down from his role as Race Director but would continue to stay intimately involved in the year-long planning for the annual event. In his 10th attempt, Kevin Ruch bested the men's field with a time of 30:30 while Gordon Bloch successfully threepeated, winning the women's field with a time of 34:35. In December of this year, the race was saddened by the passing of Tony DiOrio, who for so many years cheographed the activities of volunteers under the runners's post race refreshment stand.
Competition was in the air with the 1992 Summer Olympics taking place this year in Barcelona. And the theme of the race was "In the Olympic Spirit." That was more-than fitting, as the field of nearly 2,000 runners was buzzing with the presence of one of the foremost world-class runners Grete Waitz whose accolades included a Olympic silver medal in the marathon and nine victories at the prestigious New York Marathon. At the age of 39, Ms Waitz finished 9th overall. After 12 years, the race's economic impact on the region was becoming clear. A survey conducted by the State's Tourism Marketing Analysis Bureau of Business Research indicated that the race generated an estimated $482,815 for the region, with each racer and his or her family spending an average of $243.51. Eighty percent of participants traveled more than 30 miles to run while 55 percent traveled more than 50 miles with 87 percent staying two or more nights.
The race, as well, solidified its position as the largest single contributor to the Suffolk County Special Olympics. Overall, the race itself generated close to $100,000 in gross revenue, with nearly $34,000 coming from sponsors and $42,300 from entry fees and boosters. But it wasn't, nor ever has been all about the money. There was a race that was run. Kevin Ruch repeated as men's champion with a time of 30:36 while Karen Koehler was the top women's finisher at 35:59. 1993 Race co-founder John Strode, a Riverhead attorney, got some long overdue clout, not only for being instrumental in bringing the Shelter Island 10K to fruition, but also for his impressive running accolades of his own.
Strode, who grew up in Queens, started running as a grammar school boy and was a natural - becoming a CYO county champ before going to high school. As track team captain at Archbishop Molloy High School, he held a CHSMA city record in the quarter mile - posting an impressive best time at a blistering 48.1 seconds. As a four-year varsity letterman at Fordham University, he met Jack Fath, a fellow national class runner who would eventually be the link between Strode and other co-founder Cliff Clark. At the time, Cliff made no secrets about who was to thank for continuing to bring the race back year after year. "John is the single-most important person in the present organization of the Shelter Island Run," Clark said. "Jack Fath's and my roles are very minimal; John provides the vision and energy and is the glue which keeps it all together." Kevin Ruch three-peated on the men's side, finishing at 30.21.7 while Jeanne Peterson took the women's title with a time of 35:21.8 1994
The race broke new ground this year - becoming known for not only top quality running and community involvement - but also as a matchmaker. Who'd have thought? Through the 15 years it'd been run up until this point, the Shelter Island 10K had been credited with more than 12 weddings. The race had now raised more than $350,000 for the Suffolk County Special Olympics Khaled Khannouchi, originally of Morocco ended Kevin Ruch's three-year run as champion with a time of 29:43.8. Jeanne Peterson may have started a dynasty of her own, repeating as champion with a time of 35:29
This year marked the emergence of a field of Kenyans - three men and two women - all with world class credentials. As well, participants in this years 10K became eligible for a cool $7,000 in prize money as part of the Peconic Road Race Series. Eligible contestants had to participate in a series East End road races including the Shelter Island 10K, the Save the Earth 8K in Southampton, the Southampton Firecracker 8K, the Great Bonac 10K, the North Fork Foot Race 15K and the Riverhead Country Fair 10K. Kenyan Lazarus Nyakeraka set a new course record, winning the men's field with a time of 28:49. Cicily Miano was the women's champion with a 34:34.7, ahead of two-time defending champ Jeanne Peterson, who finished with a time of 34:58.3. 1996 Andea Williams took was the top men's finisher at 31:07 - refusing to let the fact he found out his car was stolen the morning of the race. In his trunk were, of all things, his running shoes. Nonetheless, he borrowed a pair of shoes from friends, rented a car and made the drive out to Shelter Island to enter the race he was destined to win that year. Regina Ronan took the women's title finishing at 37:28.2 1997 The race took the opportunity to reflect on the quality of competition it had attracted over the years, including an impressive 11 Olympians amongst ranks. Past Olympians who had competed included America's Frank Shorter, the UK's Charles Spedding and Norway's Grete Waitz. All three were medallists. Over the years the race was also graced with Olympians from Kenya, New Zealand, Tanzania, Hong Kong and France. Rachid Razgaoui took top men's honors with a time of 29:53.9, while Maria Luisa Servin set a new women's course record, finishing at 33:11.7 1998 Even before the race's 20-year anniversary, the Shelter Island 10K had already managed to raise more than $101,000 for local organizations including local students, the school, Red Cross, Mashomack and public library. Not to mention the more-than $440,000 for Suffolk County Special Olympics. After a year away from the winner's circle, 1996 women's champion Regina Ronan roared back to take this year's title with a time of 35:58. Rafael Veras took top men's honors with a time of 31:54.2, as runners faced a course plagued with puddles and and near ponds due to heaavy rains. 1999 The race got a little greener this year by making the "lead vehicle" - the vehicle that leads racers around the course - a Ford Ranger EV, a quiet, zero-emission light-duty pickup. The 10K Community Fund continued its tradition of giving back to the community by, among other things, donating a new automatic external defibrillator to the Town. Karolina Szabo was the top women's finisher at 33:46, while Ben Kimondiu took the men's title at 29:24. 2000 After a brief period of Diaspora, the traditional post-race party was relocated from Goat Hill to Wades Beach where the local band, The Moon Dogs, cranked out the tunes for the participants and all involved. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the Shelter Island Little League. The top finishers this year were Naomi Wangui for the woman at 34:16 and fellow Kenyan Joseph Kibor for the men at 29:25. 2001 Aurelio Handanga from Angola took the top men's time finishing at 29:13, while Kenyan Grace Momanyi was the top women's finisher at 34:09. The race, however, was represented by a strong contingent of young female Island runners. In her best finish yet, Threetime Wake Forrest All American and Shelter Island High School graduate Janelle Kraus finished second overall among women at 35:33. Fellow former Indians Alexis Hamblet and younger sister Vanessa Hamblet finished sixth and eighth overall at 39:28 and 42:25. 2002 Race co-founder Cliff Clark was named the Shelter Island Lion's Club Citizen of the Year, in part due to his tireless work of giving back to the community he loves so much. There arguably exists no greater evidence of that than the work he's continued to put into the Shelter Island 10K. Congratulations Cliff - the honor was justly deserved. Sadly, however, the race lost a bit of its heart and soul this year, when Dr. Zira DeFries Kellner died at her home in Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 84 after a year-long battle with cancer. Ms. Kellner was a perennial crowd favorite ever since running her first Shelter Island 10K in 1980 at the age of 62. This year's top men's finisher was Paul Mwangi of Kenya at 29:38. Grace Momanyi repeated as women's champ with a time of 33:48 - shaving 21 seconds off her wining time at last year's race. Local favorite, Janelle Kraus, finished second among women with a impressive 34:04. 2003 The Shelter Island 10K headed into the final turn before it's 25th anniversary this year. More than 1,400 registered for this year's race, with Kenyan Augustus Kavutu besting the men's field at 29:30 and Ethiopian Atalalech Ketema the top women's finisher at 34:56. 2004 2004 marked the 25th anniversary of the Shelter Island 10K, and conditions couldn't have been better for the more than 1,100 runners in the field. Even race co-founder Cliff Clark remarked that the anniversary edition, with no medical issues, well-behaved crowds and cadre of eager volunteers came together for one of the smoothest race days he had ever experienced. Twenty-one-year-old Kenyan Eric Chirchir dominated a field strong with elite runners. His time of 29:21 - a blistering pace of 4:44 per mile - bested three of his countrymen, including 21-year-old Joseph Mwai, who finished second at 30:11 and 34-year-old Joseph Kariuki at third with a time of 30:19. Paul Mwangi, the 37 year-old Kenyan who was the overall winner in the 2002 race finished fourth this year with a time of 31:22. Ethiopian Atalalech Katema, last year's women's champ, successfully defended her title with a time of 34:56, besting 21-year-old Alemtsehay Misganaw, also of Ethiopia, who finished second at 36:54. A Shoreham resident, 43-year-old Megan Holden finished third overall on the women's side with a time of 37:02. Despite the optimal conditions, the top men's and women's finishers were a full 32 seconds and 1:44 behind the overall records. Kenyan Lazarus Nyakeraka set the men's course record in 1995 when he finished at 28:49. The record on the women's side was set by Maria Luisa Servin in 1997 when she finished at 33:12. Twenty-three-year-old Alexis Hamblet, a standout runner during her high school career on Shelter Island, was the top local woman finisher at 38:27, good enough for 29th overall. John Kenney, 48, took the top local men's honors with a time of 37:28. That time placed him 23rd overall. With a time of 40:50, Shelter Island homeowner, former Paralympian and new Shelter Island Run Inc. board member William Lehr, 55, was the lone wheelchair finisher. You can bet that his division should see increased numbers in the years ahead.
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