22nd Annual Witness Walk

Welcome to the 22nd year of Alec's Run-to be held on April 25th, 2026. There will be a children’s fun run starting at 9:00 am at the front of HHH HS West, under the Finish sign, and the 4 mile run/walk starts at 9:30 am, on Wolf Hill Rd.

We are very excited to be able to have Alec's Run again this year! Alec’s Run has become a great day to honor the life of our 16 month old son, Alec.

Thanks to your support, we are making a difference supporting disadvantaged children in our community, as well as Kids and Cars, and Hospice Care Network.

We’ve had children in the Fun Run who discover they love running, and join track. All fun runners get a shirt and a medal, and all 4 milers get a custom made shirt, and are automatically entered into the fantastic raffle of gifts generously donated by local businesses. Please join us in celebrating Alec’s life on April 25th.

Race Fees:

Pre-registered – Received by April 18th

Adults 17+.............................................................. $28.00

16 and under or 75 and over................................ $20.00

Late registration – Through April 23rd

All........................................................................… $30.00

Day of Race........................................................... $35.00

FUN RUN RACE ENTRY FEE: Begins at 9:00 AM

Pre-registered (10 and under) ................................. $12.00

Day of Race............................................................... $15.00

AMENITIES: Top quality short sleeve tee shirt to all entrants.

Special medals & raffle prizes to all in Fun Run

AWARDS: Overall Male & Female winners and

Top 3 Male and Female in the Following Divisions:

14 & under, 15 to 19, 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 to 79, 80 to 84, 85 to 89, 90 to 94, 95 & Over

Race packet pick up - Friday April 24th, 5 - 7 pm - Half Hollow Hills HS West 375 Wolf Hill Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746

Day of Race 7:30 am - 9:15 am

This will be a MYLAPS BibTag event timed by Start To Finish Corp

Saturday May 9th - RAIN OR SHINE! *Jogging strollers are welcome!

Belmont Lake State Park - NEW LOCATION FOR 2026!

Calling ALL LADIES!!!

Come run / walk and celebrate all the SUPER MOMS out there on one of the flattest and most scenic courses on Long Island!

This event will welcome participants of every type, age and capability to run, walk, jog ...push the kiddos in a stroller!

Moms, Daughters, Sisters, Grandma's, Aunts, Step-Moms, Adoptive Moms, Foster Moms and of course...Mom's-to-be!

A great new tradition to start with that special woman in all of our lives!

Strollers are welcome!

START TIME: 9am

*You have to arrive before 8am to avoid the parking fee charged by the State Parks Department. Please plan ahead!

5K AWARDS:

Top three male and female finishers overall

Top three (3) males and females in the following age groups:

14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+

AMENITIES:

T-shirts guaranteed for participants who register by April 29th !

FUN RUN:

Fun Run open to children 12 and under

Starts at 8:30am

*Results available online after race.

ENTRY FEES:

5K:

$35 w/ event shirt guaranteed if registered by APRIL 29th , $40 Day-of

Fun Run:

$20 w/ event shirt guaranteed if registered by April 29th , $25 day-of

CHARITABLE GIVING INITIATIVE:

The STRONG ISLAND RUNNING CLUB recognizes the importance of "giving back" to our community. As such, we have aligned ourselves to assist in fundraising on behalf of TEAM RED WHITE AND BLUE. This 501 (c) 3 Charity assists our wounded veterans in a multitude of ways including participation in athletics. Attend a STRONG ISLAND RUNNING CLUB event and help us help our local veterans.

For this event we have also aligned ourselves with a charitable group that helps local mothers and families in need, called the Nest Egg. This organization assists families and mothers in finding support, education, and services, as well as delivering postpartum care packages and meals to new families. You can learn more at https://thenesteggny.org /

Please consider donating at checkout!

Please bring a non-perishable food item to this event to participate in our ongoing effort to help ISLAND HARVEST feed our neighbors on Long Island.

Long Island has a rich and deep running culture. There are multiple events every weekend to choose from. However, runners that enjoy longer race distances or trail events have only a few options to choose from over the course of the entire year. This event will provide an opportunity for those that enjoy ultra or trail running to participate in a great event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, who help maintain the trails on Long Island.

ENDURE – Last Man Standing is a Long Island endurance running event using a Last Man Standing format. Runners complete a fixed 4.2-mile loop every hour, on the hour. Finish the loop within the hour, and you earn the chance to start again. Miss the cutoff or decide you’re done, and your race ends. The event continues until one runner remains or the event time window concludes. To amp things up, every few hours we will lower the time cut-off.

The course will use designated park trails and/or park roads with a centralized start and finish area and aid station. Exact venue and course details will be shared once park permits are finalized.

The D.C. Raymond M Downey "Forever Running" Memorial 5K Run/Walk

New Course and Location

The Downey family is looking forward to gathering once again for the 25th Anniversary of the D.C. Raymond M. Downey “Forever Running” Memorial 5K Run/Walk, and we warmly invite you to join us in continuing this meaningful tradition.

This event is our way of honoring the memory of our dad, Chief Raymond M. Downey, as well as all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and those who have since passed from 9/11-related illnesses. Each year, your presence helps keep their legacy alive in a powerful and heartfelt way.

We are deeply grateful for the incredible support and love shown by the Deer Park community and the running community over the past 25 years. Your participation, encouragement, and commitment have made this event not only possible, but truly special.

For those who are unable to attend in person, we are once again offering a Virtual 5K Run so you can still be part of the day, no matter where you are.

Thank you to our family, friends, volunteers, and all who have taken part over the years. Your continued support means more to us than we can ever fully express.

We hope to see you at the starting line.

Date:

Sunday June 21st LIVE RUN

Sunday June 21th to Sunday June 28th Virtual Run

Times:

9:30 Am Live 5 K run

Run Anytime Anywhere for Virtual Run

Application Fees:

Ray Downey "Forever Running" Online Live Race fee $25- Before April 15th

Ray Downey "Forever Running" Online Live Race Fee $30- After April 15th

Ray Downey Virtual Race fee $30

Day of race fees :

Ray Downey "Forever Running" Online Live Race fee $40 Dollars

Course:

5k (3.1 miles) fast & flat run thru Deer Park. Passes down D.C. Raymond M. Downey Memorial Rd. USATF certified and sanctioned.

Awards:

Plaques presented to the First Place 5K winners (male & female)

Top 3 males & females in the following age groups:

10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74,75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-100

Top Wheelchair and all Special Olympians

Ray Downey Special Awards:

Top Cancer Survivor (Female & Male)

Top Deer Park Teacher (Female & Male)

Harry Ford Top FDNY SOC Fire Fighter

Brian Fahey Top Fire Fighter

Top 3 Fire Fighter’s

Top 3 Law Enforcement

Top 3 Military,

Team Divisions Gene Downey FDNY Firehouse Team

John & Michael Downing Best Combined time-Father & Son, Father & Daughter

Best Combined Time male & female (Open & Masters) of the D.C. Ray Downey & the D. Lerner Assoc. L.I. Police Appreciation Race

N0 Duplication for Individual Efforts

Kids Fun Run:

(No Fee) reg. 8:00-9:00 a.m. race day

SCHOLARSHIP CHARITY FUND

Affectionately referred to as "The Master of Disaster" and "God," Deputy Chief Raymond M. Downey, Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Command (SOC), died in the line of duty, while helping others escape from the fire and collapse scene of the twin towers at the World Trade Center on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The fire service was a major force in his life, as evidenced by his sterling career. He truly was a legend in his own time.

As a tribute to Chief Downey's legacy, his family has established the D.C. Raymond Downey Scholarship Charity Fund to keep his memory alive and to benefit the many organizations that Chief Downey cherished.