Community Corner

5K Supports Sayville Scholarship in Honor Keith Nintzel

When Keith Nintzel was killed in a car accident in the fall of 2004, his friends and family were stunned and devastated.  Keith was returning from Sayville to SUNY Binghamton after Thanksgiving break when another car collided with his at an intersection. 

Not knowing what else to do, a few of his former high school friends and cross country teammates decided to put on a road race in his memory.  The idea was to honor and remember Keith by doing what he loved, running.  The first installment in the summer of 2005 was a success, and soon became an annual tradition.

That tradition continues Saturday, June 8 with the ninth edition of the Keith Nintzel Memorial 5k Run and Walk to take place at Rotary Park at 8 a.m.

Friends of Keith along with participants from all over the island now come to Sayville for the run.  Some come for the competition,as last year’s winning times were course records and were amongst the fastest of any on Long Island. 

Others come just for fun, running or walking for themselves and to keep Keith’s memory alive.

The race costs $20 for pre-registered runners and $25 for anyone who signs up on the day of the race. 

All participants receive commemorative t-shirts and top runners in various age categories win prizes.  All proceeds from the event go to benefit a scholarship fund at Sayville High School in Keith’s name.

“Keith was a great guy and I’m proud to say he would have loved this event.  The community support we get is overwhelming and I’m always excited that we’re able to give so much scholarship money to the high school kids for college tuition,” says Ryan Soltan, one of the co-directors of the race.

Participants can register and get more information online at Nintzel5k.org or stop by Sayville Running Company (49 Main Street, Sayville) to pick up an application.  Registration will also be available at Rotary Park the morning of the race from 6:30am until 7:30am.  The starter’s pistol will sound promptly at 8:00am, one hour earlier than its traditional start time.

The race is the second event in the 2013 Sayville Summer Series, a series of local runs throughout June, July and August.

For more information on the Nintzel 5k or the Sayville Summer Series contact Brendan Barrett at Sayville Running Company at (631) 589-5700 or Brendan@sayvillerunning.com.


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