Great Cow Harbor 10K

Infobox Road race
name = Great Cow Harbor 10-Kilometer Run


size =
location = Northport, New York flagicon|USA
first_run = 1977
distance = 10 kilometers (6.2 mi)
registration =

The Great Cow Harbor 10-Kilometer Run is a 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) road running event held annually in the Long Island village of Northport, New York, on the third Saturday each September. The race is co-organized by its organizing committee (The Great Cow Harbor 10-Kilometer Run, Inc.), the Northport Running Club, and Northport American Legion Post 694. The present title sponsor is North Fork Bank. Proceeds from the race benefit the Special Olympics of Long Island.

History

The Great Cow Harbor 10K was created by John Rakucewicz and first run in 1977. 1,002 runners finished the first Cow Harbor 10K. The race steadily grew throughout the 1980s; in 1985, the race instituted a staggered start (named for designer John J. Pitfick), which is still in use. The 1986 race fell victim to its own popularity - it had grown so large that the organizers could no longer handle it. Supporters regrouped and the Great Cow Harbor 10K resumed the next year.

The 2001 edition was canceled in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks; Northport is only 65 km (40 mi) east of Ground Zero.

Three years later, the race was run in a driving downpour, the results of the remnants of Hurricane Ivan. Over half of the finishers' times weren't recorded due to the timing equipment being waterlogged.

Course layout

The race begins in front of Laurel Avenue School; runners proceed south until making a right turn onto Scudder Avenue. After a short climb, the remainder of the first mile is downhill, leading to a right turn onto Woodbine Avenue. Runners continue onto Bayview Avenue, passing within sight of the finish line, until they turn right onto James Street - and a steep climb, dubbed "Widow Hill" by runners. At the summit of James Street, the course turns right onto Northwest Drive, left onto Lewis Road, then left onto Ocean Avenue, offering runners a spectacular view of Long Island Sound. Just past the halfway point, runners turn right onto Eaton's Neck Road, then right onto Waterside Avenue. The 1.5 mile stretch on Waterside, a slight incline, is where the race is often won or lost. At the five-mile mark, the course turns right onto Main Street, where after one last climb ("Pumpernickel Hill"), runners coast downhill into picturesque downtown Northport. The race finishes just west of School Street, in front of the Northport Hardware Company.

In recent years, a 2K Fun Run/Walk has been instituted, finishing at the intersection of Scudder and Woodbine Avenues.

Course records

28 minutes, 44 seconds: Jeff Jacobs, 1991
28 minutes, 22 seconds: Ryan Hall, 2006

Prize money

Cash prizes of $3,000 USD are awarded to the top male and female finisher. Since 1984, a $5,000 bonus has been offered to a winner who sets a course record; this bonus is presently awarded by title sponsor North Fork Bank. The Masters (over 40) men's and women's champions are awarded $500 USD each. All cash awards are presently limited to United States citizens. Fact|date=July 2008

External links

* [http://www.cowharborrace.com Great Cow Harbor 10K official site]