On Sunday, July 25th at 5:30 p.m. the 13th Annual Race to Cure Cystic Fibrosis 4-Mile Run or 2-mile walk and barbeque was held at the scenic Long Island Maritime Museum. The USA Track & Field (USATF) certified course wound along the Great South Bay, through Sayville and back along Montauk Highway to the Maritime Museum, where the fun began in a festival-like atmosphere.

Family and friends met runners at the finish line as the rain tapered off, to enjoy food courtesy of Cornucopia Natural Foods in Sayville, Audrey's Fine Baked Goods, Panera Bread, the Lovin' Oven in West Sayville, and beer from Sayville's tavern, The Portly Villager This was the third of four races in the Sayville Summer Series 2010. Its main sponsors are the Sayville Running Company and Long Island Sports & Rehabilitation Center. Runners and guests were treated to music from The Retreads. They performed classic rock favorites like Irving Berlin's apt "Heat Wave".

The event was co-chaired by Mark Casaburi and Lauren Horton. Horton has been involved with the race for 13 years doing all the operational work. This is the third year the fundraiser was held in honor and memory of Erin Duffy, a teacher from Lincoln Ave. Elementary School and a yoga instructor at Inner Light Yoga in Sayville. She had cystic fibrosis and passed away on August 31st, 2007 at the age of 28. Horton went to school with Duffy. Horton said, "I used to work for a cystic fibrosis foundation in Manhattan. I'd do big corporate events. I wanted to do something close to home. We thought this would be a good grass roots community event that could be built and built to what it is today. I think this is the biggest year yet. Even with the weather and the economy, and I think that says a lot about the event and the community." Over 380 runners were pre-registered and more than 400participated.

Casaburi's father, Joseph, served as the de facto Master of Ceremonies for the evening. He said, "It's just amazing, a nice community event. Love is still alive in Sayville. It's here and it always will be."

This year's walk/run raised approximately $11,000 toward fighting cystic fibrosis, a life- threatening disorder that causes severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. Co-Chairman Mark Casaburi addressed the crowd saying, "Today we actually beat a tornado—that's pretty awesome. We've raised $130,000 since the inception of the run. I think that's a lot to be proud of."

This year's Top Female Overall winners in the 4-mile race are Heather Wright, 36, of Westhampton in first place; Sandra Kolar, 35, of West Sayville in second place; and Nicole Reddington, 38, of Islip in third place. This year's Top Male Overall winners are Colin Culhane, 20, of Sayville in first place; Brendan Barrett, 26, of Sayville in second place; and Daniel Siegel, 17, of Great Neck in third place.

The next and final race in the Sayville Summer Series 2010 will be the Sayville Summerfest Hon. Cohalan Run on August 7th. To find out more go to sayvillesummerseries.com.

Richard Cotes, 10, of Sayville has cystic fibrosis. Sayville Fitness ran for him.  He is pictured here with his parents Terry and Tim Cotes and his grandparents Richard and Carol Simms
The Overall Race Winners
Boy Scout Pack #85
Lauren Horton	Mark Casaburi
Joseph Casaburi	Mike Nolan, co-owner of the Sayville Running Company