Greater Patchogue coverage is funded in part by New Village at Patchogue, open-concept rental residences with sleek contemporary design. Click here for a tour.
The organizers behind last year’s first-ever Suffolk County Marathon are reversing course.
No, that doesn’t mean they’re calling off the race after just one year.
It means instead of starting and ending at Heckscher State Park, with a turnaround in Patchogue Village, the 26.2-mile race will start and finish in the village for the 2016 installment.
The 2nd Annual Suffolk County Marathon: Freedom Fest 2016, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 30, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced Monday at the Sayville Running Company store in Sayville.
The event, which is run by the county, will include a marathon, half marathon, and a newly added 5K race.
Related: 20 photos from last year’s marathon
The route will still run along the South Shore, as it did last year. It will begin in Patchogue Village and pass through the various hamlets, such as Blue Point, Sayville and Oakdale, toward Heckscher State Park for the turnaround.
The marathon raised $160,000 for local veterans last year, Bellone said.
A committee is currently reviewing grant applications submitted by nonprofits as the funds are divvied up.
Bellone said he’s hoping the event only grows moving forward.
“Whether it is by participating in our training runs, entering the race, becoming a volunteer or simply watching the runners on race day, this is an event that we want our residents to be proud of and for Suffolk County to continue to host this for years to come,” he said.
He then signed up for the 2016 race as local media watched on.
“It’s exciting for me and for all of Patchogue Village to be able to be a part of the beginning and end of the race this year,” said Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri.
“To me, the monies that go back to the veterans organizations is the paramount part of this event,” added Pontieri, whose son is currently serving in the U.S. Army. “My hope is, as we put this together, we can drive even more people to this race than we had last year, bring them into town and make this a very special event.”
The race will also have a special veterans category for all active military and retired veterans as well as a para-olympics component, the organizers said.
For information on the 2nd Annual Suffolk County Marathon: Freedom Fest Marathon 2016, visit www.suffolkmarathon.com or www.facebook.com/SteveBellone.
Photo: County Executive Steve Bellone becomes the first to sign up for the 2016 marathon in Sayville Monday. (Suffolk County courtesy photo)
