Suffolk County Marathon raises over $129,000 for groups that help veterans

The 10th annual Catholic Health Suffolk County Marathon raised over $129,000 for local organizations that support veterans, Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency Director Marcelle Leis said during a news conference on Monday.

The event, held on Oct. 19 and 20, saw more than 2,500 participants run in a marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k races.

This year, the races will be held on Oct. 18 and 19.

“Suffolk County backs our veterans,” Suffolk County Legis. Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) said during the news conference in Gardiners County Park in Bay Shore.

“Like we like to say here in Suffolk County, we don’t just talk the talk, we run the run, and we’ll be here running again this October,” added Caracappa, who chairs the legislature’s Veterans Committee.

Also in attendance was Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine, who encouraged people to participate.

“This is our way of putting two great things together, runners and charities, and creating an activity that everyone in this county can enjoy,” he said.

Leis emphasized the role volunteers play during the event, encouraging people to sign up to help.

“It is so important that we have the volunteers here as well to support the racers, to be here for the water stops, to be here for the bib pickup, and just to be here and to enjoy our county and the glorious work that they do to support our veterans, service members and their families,” she said.

According to Leis, out of the 36 organizations that applied to receive the funds, 25 organizations were selected.

New Ground, an organization that works with homeless veterans and families, among other unhoused populations on Long Island, was one such recipient of the money. Executive director Shannon Boyle said the funds were “tremendous,” because the group does not receive government assistance for its veterans programs.

“I think there are numerous very prestigious veterans organizations here that are also being represented, and to be a part of that group and recognized alongside some really great organizations that are helping our veterans on Long Island is huge for New Grounds,” she said.

In an interview after the news conference, Caracappa said the Suffolk County veterans “need that care” that the county, which boasts the largest population of veterans in New York State, provides.

“Every one of those dollars is gonna go towards helping a veteran stay mentally fit, physically fit. That helps keep families together,” he said, referring to the funds given to the organizations.

The county marathon, which acts as a qualifier for well-known marathons such as the Boston Marathon, starts in Babylon Village, extending east on Montauk Highway and over the Great South Bay toward Captree State Park, before running back over the bridges and into Gardiner County Park.