May Day 5K in East Hampton Continues To Grow in Its Second Year

In just its second year, the May Day 5K saw 820 people cross the finish line at Main Beach in East Hampton, an increase of 210 people from its inaugural race a year ago, making it one of the fastest growing road races on the East End.

“We could not have asked for a more beautiful day for a 5K than yesterday,” said Jennifer Fowkes, who helps organize the race with its creators, Dylan Cashin and Ryleigh O’Donnell, a pair of juniors at East Hampton High School. “Perfect temperature, not too much wind. And warm enough to want to jump into the ocean after the race!”

Brendan Medeiros, 34, of Brooklyn, bested what turned out to be a really talented field of runners, crossing the finish line in 15:29.44, a blistering mile pace of 4:59. Joshua Green, 22, and Jason Green, 19, a pair of brothers from Shelter Island who have, or currently run collegiately, finished second and third, respectively, in 15:37.87 and 15:47.49. Sergey Avramenko, 38, of Hampton Bays, who was very successful in the racing circuit on the East End last year and won the Katy’s Courage 5K in Sag Harbor a few weeks ago, placed fourth overall in 15:49.11, and East Hampton’s own Erik Engstrom, 26, rounded out the top five, finishing in 16:35.77.

Lauren Dara, 43, of New York City, was the female champion, crossing the finish line in 19:58.36. Rita Greene, 43, of Southampton, placed second among females in 20:13.54, Alyssa Bahel, 25, of Wainscott, who won the Katy’s Courage 5K, placed third in 20:29.71, Jennifer Spina, 44, of New York City placed fourth in 21:20.25 and Dora Damiano, 53, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, finished fifth in 21:59.72.

Full results can be found at elitefeats.com.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Fowkes, Cashin and O’Donnell said they look to support a local beneficiary centered around that. This year’s beneficiary is The Tyler Project. Created after a local Montauk family lost their son to suicide, the organization seeks to raise awareness of mental health concerns and cyberbullying locally for students, young adults and families. It provides immediate and ongoing counseling, educational services, and programs to help predict and prevent some of the crises facing young people today. With proceeds still being calculated as of Monday, Fowkes said the group hopes to donate approximately $15,000 to the Tyler Project, thanks in large part, to having 1,025 people register for the race.

Outside of that, there were not many changes made to the race, Fowkes said, due to the huge success it was last year. Josh Brussell was the DJ and MC and East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen started the race. The one change that Fowkes did note was the East Hampton Village Lifeguards were on duty before and after the race and the beach hut was open.

Slated to run the first Sunday of May, next year’s race date is already set, Sunday, May 5, 2024. Fowkes said, “Mark your calendars!”

“I want this to be one of those events that gets on your calendar every year, rain or shine,” she said. “To me, an event like this is all about community and support, and I hope to break 1,000 finishers next year.

“What I love most about this race is that it is such a community event,” she said. “Entire families sign up and run or walk together. Everyone knows everyone and it is just a feel-good event. And this year, some serious runners showed up.”

Fowkes wanted to make sure that she thanked East Hampton Village, especially Larsen, Village Administrator Marcos Baladrón and the Village Foundation. Also Village Police officers Eben Ball, Drew Smith and the village lifeguards, which includes Fowkes’s son Liam and many of his friends who all showed up at 6 a.m. on a Sunday to set up tables, carry boxes, blow up the arch, and make sure that all of the runners were safe.

“Standing at the top of the beach, just before the race went off, I took a picture of the crowds of people,” Fowkes said. “It is those moments that make all of the work worthwhile for sure. Dylan, Ryleigh, and I shared a hug and a big sigh and said, ‘We did it!’ Seeing so many people had commented on how great a day it was, and we concur. A great day for a great cause!”