The sold-out 2021 Shelter Island 10K Run/5K Walk kicks off in the Town Center this Saturday at 5 PM with a 1,000-participant cap. That’s about half the usual draw. The cap, and earlier start time are among many measures put in place by race organizers to address pandemic concerns as in-person racing resumes here.
“Our neighbors have been generous in allowing us to hold this event,” the organizers said in a packet sent to all participants. “We know you will be awesome. Let’s have a successful run and start getting our sport back on track.”
Registration closed when the 1,000-participant cap was reached. Typically the race — which runs along a course deemed among the most beautiful anywhere in the U.S. — attracts up to 2,000 registrants for the 10K run and 5K walk. The cap was another measure organizers put in place earlier this spring when they applied to the Town for an event permit.
Among the elite runners expected to participate are two-time winner Eliud Ngetich, a Kenyan athlete who lives and trains in the U.S., and running legend Bill Rodgers, a stalwart supporter of the Shelter Island run. Shelter Island’s own Kal Lewis, who just completed a stellar freshman year on the team at the University of Iowa, is also expected to run.
A modified event
Even though pandemic restrictions eased throughout New York State this week, the organizers are sticking to the plan that was approved for a significantly modified event. Some minor adjustments were announced by Shelter Island Police Chief James J. Read at Tuesday’s Town Board work session, including a change in how runners/walkers will be corralled prior to the start of the race.
Instead of arranging numerous small groups — as had been required under earlier social-distancing rules — participants will gather in larger corrals near the starting line based on their entry level. One section will be reserved for elite athletes, another for all other 10K runners, and a third for 5K walkers. Parking will be located on the field behind the school.
Organizers will still use staggered start times, sending off small groups at regular intervals to avoid crowding along the route. To accommodate this change, the race will start earlier — at 5 PM instead of the usual 5:30 PM. Chief Read suggests that if you have plans for that time of day, take note of possible road or lane closures along the route. Here’s a link to the USATF certified course map.
Registration for the event was handled in advance, and most participants have already received their race bibs and essential information. The few who did not receive their bibs may pick them up at a tent set up outside the Shelter Island School gym; but there will be no day-of registration. This limited check-in begins at 4 PM.
EliteFeats posted a runners guide with additional information, including a warning about allowing sufficient time for travel — the annual Strawberry Festival in Mattituck also takes place on June 19, affecting traffic on the North Fork.
Organizers have also altered how participants will pick up their post-race goodies — bags, including participation medals, T-Shirts and other treats, will be sorted by T-shirt size and placed on tables just past the finish line at Fiske Field.
The usual pre- and post-race festivities have been suspended, and participants are asked to return to their vehicles for departure after completing the course. Since no shuttle bus service will be available from North and South ferries, neighbors should expect more cars parked in the vicinity of the start.
10K Run/5K Walk awards
An awards ceremony will be held via Facebook or YouTube about a week after the event. Prizes are:
- 10K Awards open Men & Women prize purse
- $750
- $500
- $300
- $150
- Masters Men & Women prize purse
- $200
- $100
- Course Record Bonus
- Open Men & Women, $500
- Masters Men & Women, $250
- First U.S. Citizen Men & Women prize purse $250
Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers, who also receive a complimentary entry to next year’s race, as follows:
- 19 and under
- 20 to 24
- 25 to 29
- 30 to 34
- 35 to 39
- 40 to 44
- 45 to 49
- 50 to 54
- 55 to 59
- 60 to 64
- 65 to 69
- 70 to 74
- 75+
For the 5K, medals will be awarded to the top three Men & Women overall.
Event sponsors
Brendan Dagan and his firm EliteFeats, organized the event, with support from long-time Race Director M.E. Adipietro and the Shelter Island Run team of volunteers, including John Honerkamp, a race consultant and coach. The presenting sponsor is Northwell Health. Other sponsors include the North Fork Surgery Center, Penelope Moore/Saunders Real Estate, All Round Foods and Corcoran Real Estate.
In their note to participants, the organizers offer special thanks to community leaders in the Town of Shelter Island and Village of Dering Harbor for “support and encouragement to hold our event.” They asked that runners also salute “our healthcare workers, police and firefighters, who have been amazing over the this past year” and give encouragement to “our kids; they have had much stress and uncertainty, we care and are here to support.”
For more details, visit the 2021 Shelter Island 10K/5K website, events.elitefeats.com/shelterisland21.
