Plenty of choices for runners and watchers at Long Island Marathon

The Jovia Long Island Marathon returns as a staple of spring next month after COVID-19 concerns delayed the 2021 race until last September and the pandemic canceled 2020's event.

September's marathon at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow added a new food and music festival, which will be a featured part of this year's various races and fun runs. The events begin April 29 at the park and conclude on May 1 with the marathon, half-marathon and 10-kilometer run.

In addition, organizers said, runners and race watchers will be taking part in a venerable Long Island tradition with a new name: The Jovia Long Island Marathon Festival of Events.

"Nassau’s back to normal," said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman at a Thursday news conference on the marathon, other race events and the accompanying festival. "Let’s get going."

The marathon and a half-marathon start at 7:30 a.m. May 1, and a 10k run begins a half-hour later, but Blakeman said the weekend is about more than the runners.

"If you’re not taking part in the actual event, come out and be a spectator," Blakeman said. "You’ll have a great time."

Runners can also participate in a Friday Night Lights 5-kilometer run on April 29 — or, if they'd prefer, a combination 35.5-mile 5k-10k-Marathon Challenge, or a 22.4-mile Half-Marathon-5k-10k Challenge, both over three days.

Blakeman said registration numbers so far indicate there will be "about 5,000 participants" in all the running events.

No baby joggers or pets are allowed in the combination events or in the 10k, half-marathon or marathon.

Competitors in the 35.5-Mile Challenge must be able to maintain a 15-minute mile, while those in the 22.4-Mile Challenge must be able to maintain an 18-minute mile. Those who cannot make the midrace cutoff time will not be able to continue and will be taken back to the start line, officials said.

The Friday Night Lights 5k Fun Run will start at 8 p.m. and runners must wear a headlamp. Families and strollers are welcome. On April 30, children can take part in a 1-kilometer Just for Fun Run that starts at 11 a.m.

The Long Island Marathon Health and Fitness EXPO is also part of the weekend of events. 

Visitors to the free health and fitness exhibition "will have the opportunity to sample nutritious food, try out the latest exercise equipment, test-drive technology, explore recovery products" and listen to lectures from "industry professionals and pro-athletes," according to the marathon's website.

With John Valenti