STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Once again the presence of record breakers led to the breaking of records!
SIRA Board Members Brigid Howley (L), and Patricia Mulligan (Ctr) with 2024 800 meter Olympian Allie Wilson.Staten Island Running Association
A sell-out crowd of more than 350 gathered Wednesday night at LiGreci’s Staaten in West Brighton for the annual Staten Island Running Association’s Marathon Week Legends and Youth Gala.
World-Class athletes such as Bob Beamon, Dave Wottle, Bill Rodgers — alongside current champions Allie Wilson and Ajee’ Wilson — amongst many others joined the crowd in saluting both local honorees as well as spreading inspiration to those present.
1968 Olympic Long Jump Gold Medalist Bob Beamon (center) with members of the Port Richmond high school track team.Staten Island Running Association
Yet, it was the appearance of 1964 Olympic Gold medalist Billy Mills who stole the show.
1964 Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills addresses the crowd.Staten Island Running Association
The legendary Lakota runner, whose victory in the 10,000 meters in Tokyo was called by Time Magazine “The greatest individual upset in Olympic History” spoke and called upon everyone, notably the youth, to let nothing stop them.
SIRA Board Chair Jeff Benjamin and dad Jack Benjamin with Billy Mills (seated).Staten Island Running Association
“I was able to find my dream from tragedy,” said Mills, an orphan at 12 years old who also endured harsh prejudice in his life.
The youth country color bearers for the SIRA Opening Ceremonies.Staten Island Running Association
“To the youth,” Mills said, “So can you…never stop from pursuing your dreams.”
Local honorees included:
1) The Arnold Obey “Good Guy” Award
Hank Murphy
1972 Olympic 800 meter Champion Dave Wottle (R) poses with the Arnold Obey “Good Guy” award honoree Hank Murphy.Staten Island Running Association
2) The Vic Navarra Memorial Service Award
Michael McVey JR.
3) The Art Hall Memorial Service Award
Tommy Hart
Honoree Tommy Hart (Gold Suit) with 4-Time NYC Marathon Champ Bill Rodgers alongside his teammates from the Richmond Rockets.Staten Island Running Association
4) The Abel Kiviat HS Boys/Girls Milers Award
Katelyn Kliesch
Edwin Alleva
Abel Kiviat Award Winners Edwin Alleva and Katelyn Kliesch.Staten Island Running Association
5) The Abel Kiviat Memorial Service Award
David Panza
6) The John Tobin Memorial Service Award
Carmine Ragucci
From left, Bill Allert, Billy Bates, Ajee’ Wilson
and Carmine Ragucci.Staten Island Running Association
7) The Bill Welsh Extraordinary Performance Award
Abigail Robisky
Will Cuthbertson
Bill Welsh Extraordinary PErformance Award honorees Abigail Robisky (center) and Will Cuthbertson (right) with Jeff Benjamin.Staten Island Running Association
***
Bell Lap: Emcee and SIRA Board Chair Jeff Benjamin saluted the crowd, who once again journeyed from near and far….“One person flew in from London!,” said Benjamin, who noted that the 150 youth once again attended free of charge thanks to generous donations…SIRA President Michael De Vito presented SIRA checks raised from last May’s Memorial Day Run to the Merrill/Capodanno Veterans Post and to VISION Services to the Blind & Visually Impaired…
World Indoor 800 meter Champion Ajee’ Wilson (center) with members of the MSIT Girls track team.Staten Island Running Association
Michael McVey led a memorial tribute to local runners Matt Ruane, Jim Behr, Joe Leone and Gary Tolas, who passed away this year…Outgoing SIRA President Michael Schnall was presented with a service award on behalf of SIRA…Bob Beamon told the youth perhaps one of the most uplifting stories as he said as a 5th-grader he couldn’t read. ”After my jump at the Olympics, Webster Dictionary came to me to tell us that they were putting a new word in and it would be called “Beamonesque!”
Olympic legend Bob Beamon (right) accepts a James Brown performer pin from Michael McVey 2nd from right) alongside Brian Rowan (left) and Jeff Benjamin (second from left)Staten Island Running Association
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.