Long Island Marathon weekend draws runners inspired by Kenyan who broke two-hour barrier

The running world is still abuzz ahead of the Jovia Long Island Marathon weekend in Eisenhower Park, one week after Sabastian Sawe of Kenya in the London Marathon became the first person to run a sub-2-hour race.

Race director Corey Roberts said at a news conference on Wednesday that the festival accompanying the marathon will be the biggest one in race history, with at least a dozen food trucks, about 35 craft vendors, and 10 live music groups.

"I'm actually really excited to see non-athletes like that maybe don't do the race, come down, enjoy the festival that's going on, because that's really there for everybody," Roberts said. "And maybe they see the race, and maybe next year they want to do a 5K. We would love to see them."

Festivities begin on Friday at 3 p.m. with the Long Island Health & Fitness Expo. The Long Island Food Truck Festival will be on site Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The marathon weekend comes one week after Sawe won the London Marathon with a 1:59:30 time, becoming the first person in the world to reach a sub-2 hour marathon in an official race.

Roberts said while he does not expect that record to be broken this weekend, he wouldn’t be surprised if some runners come close. One person will run this weekend to try and qualify for the Olympic Trials, he told Newsday.

"I'm sure everybody's got their personal goals set, their own world records, and I hope they come and achieve their world records here at our race," Roberts said.

Last year Benjamin Tuttle, 31, of Knoxville, Tennessee, came in first place a time of 2:35:55. The fastest time in race history remains Dr. Lou Calvano’s 1979 time of 2:19.

In 2023, then 28-year-old Jordan Daniel of Westhampton came a close second of 2:21:54.

The first race, the Friday Night Lights 5K Fun Run, kicks off at 8 p.m. The expo will continue Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. after the 10K start at 8 a.m., followed by the 1K KIDS Run at 11 a.m. Half-marathon and marathon runners will start their course at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

With the marathon will come some road closures Sunday. Some times may change at the discretion of Nassau police.

Charles Lindberg Boulevard, which is the entire loop of the races, will be closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stewart Avenue from Merchants Concourse / Endo Boulevard to Merrick Avenue, will be closed from 6:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Merrick Avenue from Stewart Avenue to Hempstead Turnpike 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Park Boulevard from Hempstead Turnpike to Merrick Avenue will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The race also comes weeks after 15-year-old Quacere Hagans, of Coram, was fatally shot and two others injured at a barbeque just across the field from the Expo.

Blakeman described security for the marathon as "excellent" and that law enforcement is fully prepared.

"With a marathon, obviously, there are a lot of moving parts. It takes up a lot of territory, and we look at things that have happened in other places," Blakeman said. "We will take every precaution possible to keep the athletes and the spectators safe throughout this beautiful weekend of athletic competition and fun."