Follow the Hearts: Sayville Running Company's Valentine's Run

Close to 60 runners came out to participate in the four-mile Valentine’s Friends and Lovers Predication Run on Feb. 12 sponsored by the .

In a predication run, participants win not by the fastest one to cross the finish line, but by who is the closest to predicting their ending time. And this race had yet another twist – runners had to race with a partner and cross the finish line together.

There were different categories the “couples” could enter.  Participants were even encouraged to wear costumes, and a costumed running pair of Cupid and Aphrodite did make an appearance. There were also a Viking couple, cheerleaders and a cowboy/cowgirl duo. Awards were presented in the following categories: Best Costumed Duo, Husband/Wife, Parent/Child, Siblings, Any Two Family Members, Two Men, Two Women,  Mixed (1 man/1 woman).

Everyone was instructed to leave their watches at the store from Mike Nolan, co-owner of Sayville Running Company, who also led the race route through the residential streets of Sayville and past the ferries on his bike. Starting at , there were heart markers throughout the streets as well, leading runners in the right direction.

“It’s just a fun event,” said , co-owner of Sayville Running Company. “We just wanted to get everyone together and there’s just not a lot going on in the running community in February. It’s just an empty month and people are looking for something to do. So we decided to put together this event. Luckily, there’s no wind and the weather is pretty decent out there today.”

Barrett was standing at the finish line, collecting tickets and matching up times to see who predicted the closest to their time. The winners were: First place –Rick Secor and Peter Martin (nine seconds off) in the two men category; Second Place – Jean Marie McNeill and Christine Rupp (12 seconds off) in the two women category; and Third place went to Jon Nicholsen and (14 seconds off) in the siblings category. The open mix winners were Christina Brown and Matt Magee. The husband/wife winners were Mike Desz and Sarah Bewt, while Heidi and Graham Nathan took home the parent/child award. Seven-year-old David McDermott got a special award for being the youngest participant, while best costumed awards went to Cupid and Aphrodite, the Vikings, the cowgirl/cowboy and the cheerleaders.

After the race, bagels, coffee and hot chocolate were offered back at the store. There were many great sale as well on cold weather running gear, sneakers and more.