Scores Lace Up For Annual Jamesport Fire Department Run

With the sun sparkling on the Long Island Sound, scores of running enthusiasts gathered at Iron Pier in Jamesport Sunday morning for the annual Jamesport "Sound to Bay" 10K and 5K run.

The race began at the beach and wound through bucolic farmland, vineyards and South Jamesport before finishing up at the Peconic Bay.

The proceeds from the race benefit the Jamesport Fire Department Scholarship fund as well as several other local charities, according to the event's Facebook page.

Riverhead resident Stephanie Woychuk said the race was her first-ever event.

"Now that my kids are a little older, I can finally do something for me," she said.

Larry King of Peconic said as an EMT, he was running "in unison" with other law enforcement officials and first responders who participate each year in the event. "There's a camaraderie here," he said. "It's beautiful."

King remembered 2011, when the race was postponed until October due to a hurricane. "It's nice they were able to take off on time this year," he said.

Riverhead's Maddy Carey said she was training for a half marathon and attended Sunday's race with her sister as part of her regimen; it was the first time she'd participated in the Jamesport event.

Jerry Crennan of Patchogue and Marty Schimmele of Massapequa, both members of the Greater Long Island Run Club, traveled to the North Fork for the event and said they enjoyed the area's inns, eateries, and wineries. 

"It's a great area," Crennan said.

"It's beautiful," Schimmele agreed.