Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Catholic Health Services today announced registration for the 5th Annual Catholic Health Services Suffolk County Marathon will open tomorrow. Next year the CHS Suffolk County Marathon will also feature a 10K race for the first time since its inception. Runners will be able to sign up for the new 10K race beginning Thursday, December 20, through the official website, as well as the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K races.
In addition, a new social media campaign will also be launched in an effort to encourage even more residents to sign up for the annual race.
“The Suffolk County Marathon has become an annual rite of passage for runners across the world and that is a testament to the incredible work performed by Catholic Health Services,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “I am excited to once again run the Marathon and encourage all our residents to get involved in this wonderful event that benefits local veterans’ organizations in Suffolk County.”
Catholic Health Services COO Colonel John Murray said: “Catholic Health Services is honored to serve as the Medal of Honor Title Sponsor and Race Medicine Provider of Suffolk County Marathon. We are committed to the health and safety of the thousands of runners who compete in the event and are proud to join the County Executive in his support of the veterans groups and organizations who directly benefit from this race.”
The Suffolk Marathon each year raises money to benefit veterans and, to date, the Suffolk County Marathon has raised nearly $500,000 for local veterans’ services, with nearly 11,000 runners participating. Previous recipients include Paws of War, Long Island Cares, America’s VetDogs, St. Joseph’s College, Make it Count, United Veterans Beacon House, General Needs, and the Association of Mental Health and Wellness.
Earlier this year, County Executive Bellone joined with America’s Vetdogs, a Suffolk County Marathon funding recipient for the last three years, for an insider’s look and tour of the VetDogs’ facility, to participate in service dog training demonstrations, to meet with future service dogs and to learn about the experiences of veterans at the VetDogs Facility. The funding VetDog’s receives from the Suffolk County Marathon is used to assist in their mission to breed, raise, train and place service dogs for disabled veterans and active-duty service members.
For more information or to register for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K or 10K race, visitwww.suffolkmarathon.com .
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