Island community lifts 5K to success: Celebrating 26th year fighting cancer

The early morning rain and frosty, wind-whipped temperatures may have deterred a handful of the 241 entrants who signed up for the 26th annual Shelter Island 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, but a cheerful, eager crowd showed up at the starting line at the top of the hill above Crescent Beach to hear announcer Dr. Frank Adipietro conduct the opening ceremonies. 

Introducing 5K founder Mary Ellen Adipietro and Race Director Katy Binder to applause, he directed the assembled men, women and children to remove their hats while Lenore Berner’s a cappella rendition of the National Anthem filled the cold, clear air. Ms. Berner paid tribute to two women who inspire her— her mother, a 25-year cancer survivor, and her cousin, a 20-year survivor.

Then, at 11 a.m., they were off — elite runners, families and friends in groups, parents pushing strollers and owners striding along with their canine companions.

For each participant who had paid to enter and support the cause of raising funds and awareness for women’s cancers, there were similar motivations. One who wore a Survivor T-shirt and gave only her first name, Kelly, said it was a celebration of being “three months out of radiation.” She was feeling fine, she said: “I didn’t miss a beat” during her treatment at the NY Cancer & Blood Specialists in Southampton. 

It was Kelly’s ninth annual Shelter Island 5K, she added. The first time, she and her friends did the race with their daughters after a friend was diagnosed. “We’ve got to do it,” they said then, and she’s continued ever since.

Once the runners and walkers set out to wend their way along Stearns Point Road to Rocky Point and loop onto Nostrand Parkway toward the last stretch along Shore Road, a small village was assembling in front of the Sunset Beach Hotel, just past the finish line. Volunteers from the North Fork Breast Coalition and Lucia’s Angels, bundled in winter coats and hats, waited to hand out information and personal items, as did Alyssa Kehl from NY Cancer & Blood Specialists.

5K volunteers staffed tables offering merchandise with race logos, including sweatshirts that were eagerly snapped up by the shivering crowd. Chef Tom Hashagen had prepared white and red chili, that were also welcomed for their heat by the entrants and their supporters. Also standing by were the Shelter Island Emergency Services crew with their ambulance. “We’re always ready, and hope we’re not needed,” said EMS Department Director Jack Thilberg. Nevertheless, he and EMT Chief Mark Kanarvogel would be called upon shortly thereafter, to accept the “Angels of the Year” award on behalf of all the EMTs who provide valuable service to Islanders in moments of need. 

“When the EMS was proposed for the award, the entire committee said ‘Absolutely, without a doubt,’” said 5K committee member Linda Springer as she presented them with the award in recognition of the countless patients whom their crew has helped over the years.

Other important moments in the closing ceremonies conducted by Dr. Adipietro included the Pledge of Allegiance by sisters Kelly and Izzy Calloway, ages 8 and 5 respectively. 

In addition to the entry fees and sponsorships, the event raises funds for the cause from individual donations solicited by participants. Topping the list this year, as they have so often, were Towny Montant and his Team Flamingo, and Linda Zavatto, who had raised $8,975 and $8,322 respectively. They have carried on a friendly rivalry over the years for the top spot, and both said they wouldn’t mind looking over their shoulders to see the next generation gaining on them, if they can inspire more people to follow their example.

Mr. Montant has been a tireless campaigner on behalf of breast cancer awareness and support, especially since his wife Teresa succumbed to the disease 15 years ago. He has promoted information on having women with dense breast tissue carefully screened, and was instrumental in getting the large wooden pink ribbons displayed around the Island each October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Riverhead Building Supply donated the lumber, and the highway department and school shop students helped create the pink ribbons,” he said, praising the community response that has multiplied his efforts.

Dr. Adipietro told the audience at the closing ceremonies that in the 26 years that his wife, Mary Ellen, has been overseeing the race, the event has raised more than $1.1 million. In addition to Ms. Adipietro, he called out the members of the 5K committee: Ginny Gibbs, Betty Fogerty, Linda Kraus, Julie O’Neill Bliss, Gina Kraus,Louise Clark, Linda Springer, and Race Director Katy Binder, who said they welcomed the efforts of all who had helped them achieve so much on behalf of women facing cancer, and plan to continue “as long as we have to.”

The event concluded with the drawing of raffle tickets, for which Dr. Adipietro enlisted the help of 6-year-old Oscar Fishman, who’d walked and run the race wearing his grandmother’s entry number. Asked how he liked the race, Oscar responded “Good,” and when he said he’d like to do it again, Dr. Adipietro promised he’d get Oscar his own number next year.    

ONE FAMILY AND THE 5K AMONG HUNDREDS STRIDING FOR A CAUSE

BY SUSAN CAREY DEMPSEY

When the Shelter Island 5K was launched in 2000 to raise funds and awareness for breast and other women’s cancers, there was no question that my sisters and I were going to take part. 

Our mother, Helen Owen Carey, had been diagnosed at age 45, in a time when cancer was so frightening that many people only whispered “the big C,” rather than speak its dreaded name. After difficult and painful treatments, she died at age 49, leaving a widowed husband and 12 children.

On that first race day, the five of us and a niece cheerfully competed against each other as we traveled the course above Crescent Beach and down along the waterfront where we’d spent happy summers.

As of this year, three of us had been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, while the others and our daughters remain vigilant. One sister who walked on Oct. 17 was marking the anniversary of her wedding to the husband she’d lost to cancer. My husband walked and my brother ran — both have had successful cancer treatments. The next day, we’d observe the birthday of a brother we’d lost to a rare cancer. 

Years ago my father, Hugh, had walked the 5K race at age 80 in tribute to our mother. We had finished ahead, but ran back to keep him company on the last leg. While he was literally the last person to finish the race, he was also the 3rd in his age group, for which he was awarded a medal. We cheered his pluck and stamina, and celebrated as a family being part of this important cause.

This is only one family’s story, and for everyone in the race, there are more. Multiplied by the hundreds of runners, walkers and supporters who have enthusiastically embraced the 5k over the years, it can be seen why the ripple effect of this event have made women’s cancers not a dreaded fate, but another challenge that together we can, and will, overcome.