A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
A scene from the 15th annual SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk on Oct. 1. Photo by Nancy Clark
Several weather-related prayers were answered when the rain stopped, and the sun shined brightly on the 15th Annual SOLES for All Souls 5K Race/2K Walk on Oct. 1. The large crowd assembled in front of the historic Stanford White designed chapel at 61 Main Street in Stony Brook Village, including runners dressed as a hot dog and a mustard container, a Bumble Bee and a butterfly, and a chicken. Retired Suffolk County Police SGT Mark McNulty played the bagpipes to inspire the runners as they began their trek up Hollow Road. Former Suffolk County Poet Laureates Barbara Southard and Dr. Richard Bronson led the annual march of the Live Poets Society.
After The Brave Trio sang the National Anthem, Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich thanked the runners and walkers for participating in this very special annual event to celebrate the role of All Souls in the community and to raise funds to make the church and accessible to all. He presented All Souls Senior Warden Dan Kerr with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Town of Brookhaven recognizing the many ways All Souls serves the community.
Felipe Garcia from Port Jefferson Station was the overall race winner with a time of 20:14 and Christa Denmon from Endwell, NY was the overall female winner the second year in a row with a time of 21:58. All Souls Vicar Father Tom Reese awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Olympic-style ceremony to various age groups from 13 & under to 80 years old. Emma Lehayne from Stony Brook won the gold for the female 13 and under group and Rolf Sternglanz from Stony Brook won the gold for the male 80 and over group. Local musician Bill Clark & Friends (including Councilmember Kornreich) serenaded the crowd before and after the Awards ceremony at the Reboli Center for Arts and History.
Submitted by Daniel Kerr/ Director of SOLES for All Souls
Runners take off from the starting line on Main Street in Stony Brook Village at last year's race.
Photo from Dan Kerr
Registration underway for SOLES for All Souls Race
By Daniel Kerr
Historic All Souls Church has stood on the hill at the entrance to Stony Brook Village since 1896. Although much has changed in the village since then, the simple beauty of the building and the interior have remained true to Stanford White’s vision.
Interestingly, life expectancy back then in the United States was less than 50 years, and accessibility for the elderly or handicapped was not part of the design. On Sunday, October 1st, the 15th SOLES for All Souls 5K Race/2K Walk will celebrate the role of the National Landmark chapel in the community and raise funds to make it accessible to all.
Episcopal Bishop of Long Island Lawrence Provenzano stated, “Accessibility is an integral part of welcoming everyone in our communities into our parishes and we are proud to support this fantastic event with its goal to make All Souls a place that can truly serve everyone.”
Three of the winners from last year’s race. Photo from Dan Kerr
Herb Mones, an All Souls Church member, and both president of the Three Village Community Trust and Land Use Chair for the Three Village Civic Association,recently observed “SOLES for All Souls is vital to raising the necessary funds for our accessibility project. I am hoping that the entire running and walking community turns out to support our efforts.”
Richard Bronson, MD, former Suffolk County Poet Laureate, remarks, “How many times have I entered All Souls Church, felt its sanctity, marveled at its quiet beauty while listening to recited verse at the Second Saturday Poetry Reading? How can one not wish to participate in the SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk, an event that will raise funds to make this treasure accessible to all…and it is good for one’s health.”
SOLES For All Souls is perhaps the most inclusive race/walk on Long Island.Serious runners compete for gold, bronze, and silver medals in age groups from under 13 to over 80 and receive their hard-won medals in an Olympic-style awards ceremony. Dogs are welcome to accompany their masters and students from Stony Brook University and others often come in costume. Senior citizens with walking sticks line up at the starting line along with parents pushing their kids in strollers.
Looking back on last year’s race, East Patchogue resident and Overall Winner Adam Lindsey commented, “I love the opportunity to run in Stony Brook Village. The hills are the right amount of challenging yet very fun with lovely scenery. All Souls is such an integral part of Stony Brook Village, and it is a joy to run in a race to support them.”
Port Jefferson Station resident Margaret Kennedy shared, “I look forward to this race every year, eager to see familiar faces and the creative costumes. The matched pair of peanut butter and jelly comes to mind. It is the camaraderie and fellowship that keeps us coming back to collect a new color in our t-shirt rainbow. Everyone is welcome, whether running up the challenging hill or walking with a team. This race is truly a labor of love.”
The event is also a food drive for St. Gerard Majella’s food pantry. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine encourages runners and walkers to feed the hungry: “I am proud to support the SOLES for All Souls and I urge everyone to donate to the ‘Lend a Hand, Bring a Can’ food drive. There are so many of our less fortunate neighbors who experience food insecurity and they rely on donations to feed themselves and their families. If we all chip in and do our part, we can help so many people in need and make a real difference in our community.”
Registration for SOLES for All Souls 5K Run/2K Walk is through the ACTIVE.COM website (Search: SOLES for All Souls) or register on Race Day at the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.; the race/walk begins at 9 a.m. Complimentary pre and post event stretching will be provided by Progressive Personal Training.Local musician Bill Clark will perform throughout the morning.
Please call 631-655-7798 for more information on the event or if you would like to be a sponsor. Donations dedicated to Handicap Accessibility Project can be mailed to All Souls Race, P.O. Box 548, Stony Brook, NY 11790.
Daniel Kerr is the Director of SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk.
Members of the Live Poets Society attended the race. Photo from All Souls Church
Children celebrate completing the race. Photo from All Souls Church
Gold, silver and bronze winners in the female runners category. Photo from All Souls Church
Stony Brook’s Ken Esser played the bagpipes to inspire the runners at the corner of Christian Avenue and Hollow Road. Photo from All Souls Church
All Souls volunteers ready for the race. Photo from All Souls Church
By Daniel Kerr
Runners and walkers of all ages gathered in front of the historic All Souls Church in Stony Brook Sunday morning, Sept. 26, for the 13th annual SOLES for All Souls 5K Race/2K Walk.
Brookhaven Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) presented a proclamation congratulating the church for bringing the event to the community and described All Souls and its various outreach activities as “the heart and soul of Stony Brook village.”
The Reboli Center for Art & History hosted the registration and awards ceremony. Bill Clark, from Setauket, provided live music throughout, and Stony Brook’s Ken Esser played the bagpipes to inspire the runners at the corner of Christian Avenue and Hollow Road.
Joseph Mora from Fayetteville was the overall winner of the 5K with a time of 18 minutes, and Ashley Jean-Raymond from Copiague was the overall female winner with a time of 20 minutes. Proceeds from the event will benefit the church’s project to make the chapel accessible to all with a possible ramp, tram or other alternative.
Jessica Petrina of Selden set a new overall female time of 20:42. Photos from All Souls Episcopal Church
Nine-year-old Hudson Gaeta from Fort Salonga won the gold medal for the 13 and under group. Photos from All Souls Episcopal Church
Centereach resident Laura Shann won the Bravest Costume award for her multicolored running tutu. Photos from All Souls Episcopal Church
A family after completing the 5K race. Photos from All Souls Episcopal Church
By Daniel Kerr
Runners and walkers gathered in front of All Souls Episcopal Church for the 11th annual Soles for All Souls 5K Race/2K Walk Sept. 29 as parishioners Annatje Clark and Veronique Velazquez sang the national anthem.
Nine-year-old Hudson Gaeta from Fort Salonga won the gold medal for the 13 and under group, and Stony Brook resident John Barker won the gold for the 80+ group. Stony Brook University alumnus Darian Sorouri set a new overall record time of 16 minutes, 41 seconds and Jessica Petrina of Selden set a new overall female time of 20:42.
Centereach resident Laura Shann won the Bravest Costume award for her multicolored running tutu, and Suffolk County Poet Laureate Barbara Southard led the Live Poets Society walkers. Several families fielded teams of multiple generations and fitness levels for this annual celebration. Local band DownPort provided live music during registration and the Olympic-style awards ceremony. Expert pre- and postrace stretching was provided by Dr. Kiley Holmes from PhysioRoam.
All funds raised will be dedicated to adding a bathroom to the historic chapel and making the church and its outreach activities (concerts, poetry readings, dialing visitation, etc.) accessible to all.
