Smithtown's 5K Running of the Bull Expects to Draw 400

Hundreds of runners ranging from seasoned athletes to local families are expected to take to Smithtown's streets this Saturday. 

The Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce will host the 8th annual Running of the Bulls this Saturday at New York Avenue administrative building. More than 400 runners from more than 500 families are expected to take to downtown Smithtown's streets, according to Barbara Franco, Smithtown chamber's executive director. 

"We'll have a very professional run," Franco said. "We get a lot of the runners have been doing that with us for 8 years. We also get a great flow of people from Cow Harbor Race in Northport, who race after a nice long week to recuperate." 

Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio and state Sen. John Flanagan, R-Smithtown, are expected to attend to call the start of Saturday's race. 

The 5-kilometer race, or 3.1 miles, sends runners south on Juniper Avenue, turning right on Cygent Drive before the long homestretch on New Mill Road to the finish line at New York Avenue School.

"It’s going through the Forestwood area of Smithtown. It's a beautiful, flat 3.1 mile route on asphalt," Franco said. 

Start2Finish will be handing out timing chips to runners to track the race, all results will be posted online. 

The annual event benefits the Courtney Sipes Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization in memory of a Smithtown girl and Pines Elementary School student who was killed in a accident on Smithtown Main Street in November 2009. The charity provides scholarships and opportunities for children looking to pursue interests in the arts and music.

Proceeds will also be donated to Hauppauge-based Angela's house, a nonprofit that helps aid medically frail children and their families obtain needed care and services. 

Those interested in participating can register the day-of the race starting at 8 a.m. for $25 a person. Anyone who pre-registered for the race through the chamber's website can pick up their race packet on Friday, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., at Personal Training & Nutrition, 1 C Miller Place, Smithtown. 

Awards will be given out post-race to the Top Male and Top Women's finishers, the top 3 finishers per each age group and the top finishing team. 

A 1K Family Fun Run will be held prior to the 5K race at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $10 per runner. 

For more information, visit the chamber's website or call 631-979-8069. 

Tell us, do you plan to run in the 5K Running of the Bull?