Pearlman Blows Past Field To Win Firecracker 8K

Part-time Southampton resident Oz Pearlman blew away the rest of the competition in the 30th annual Firecracker 8K race in Southampton Village on an overcast and breezy morning last Sunday.

The 39-year-old, who won the race in 2019 as well, went out at a blistering pace and kept it up for the entirety of the 6.2 mile course through the estate section of Southampton, finishing in 25:57 (5:13 mile pace). Second-place finisher Gustavo Morastitla, 21, a graduate of Southampton High School was second in 27:58 (5:38), while JD Hillburn, 45, of Brooklyn was third in 30:58 (6:14). Nick Drozdiak, 40, of Washington, D.C., was fourth in 32:47 (6:36), while Mike Bahel, 55, of East Hampton rounded out the top five in 34:05 (6:51). Mike Bahel’s daughter, Alyssa Bahel, 23, of Wainscott was the top female finisher in 35:20 (7:07). Jackie Amato, 18, of East Quogue was the second female in 37:25 (7:32), while her mother, Karen Cotty, 58, was the third female to cross the line in 37:41 (7:35). Noreen Haubert, 55, of Southampton was the fourth female in 37:52 (7:37), and Rosemary Sharp, 65, also of Southampton rounded out the top five female finishers in 38:46 (7:48).

Full results are at elitefeats.com.

For the first time in its long history, the race was held on Columbus Day weekend instead of its traditional summertime date. In the early years of the race, which benefits the Southampton Rotary Club, it was held on Father’s Day weekend, but in more recent years it has been held close to July 4, hence the name. COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible for the organizers to put on the race earlier in the summer, but they were determined to make it happen this fall instead of canceling it.

The race serves as the primary source of income for the club, which gives out scholarships and does other important community service work, not just in Southampton Village but throughout Southampton Town.

Pearlman said he was happy to support the Rotary and its causes, particularly because, when he is not in his primary residence in New York City, he, his wife and their three young children live in Southampton, a stone’s throw from the finish line at Pond Lane. Pearlman is a successful magician and mentalist, but is well known for his prowess as a long distance runner as well. He has won the Hamptons Marathon three times, (and finished second last week), often delighting spectators at the finish line by fanning out a deck of cards in each hand as he breaks the tape, seemingly pulling them out of thin air, in an obvious nod to his profession. (He did not have his cards with him on Sunday morning). Pearlman won the Firecracker 8K two years ago, in his first time running the event, signing up “on a whim,” he said, at the urging of a friend.

This time around, he had an even better time and added that several factors played into that.

“It’s a really great course,” he said, barely winded after the race. “I felt amazing, and the weather was picture perfect.”

Pearlman explained that he’s been training intensely for the upcoming New York City Marathon, set for Sunday, November 7. He is hoping to break the 2 hour 30 minute mark in the race, a lofty goal but an achievable one for him.

“I’ve been eating really healthy, no alcohol,” he said. “I’ve been alcohol free for about a month, which has been rough,” he added with a laugh.

He expressed surprise at how well he performed on Sunday, describing himself as “not fast” at shorter distances.

A total of 97 runners crossed the finish line in the 8K, while several others ran the short 5K distance. Between both distances, a total of 125 runners participated on Sunday, and the total number for registration was 152. Race chairman James Grossi said the turnout exceeded expectations, and said it will allow the Southampton Rotary Scholarship and Endowment Fund to continue its support of several local organizations.