GerritsenBeach.net » Dan’s 5K Fun Run & Walk

Picture of the Week: Dan Foster

GerritsenBeach.net — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:58:56 +0000

Dan Foster 2009 Fun Run

DAN FOSTER
Foster was diagnosed with rectal cancer a decade ago. His doctor, anticipating surgery, told him that dropping from 230 to 170 pounds would greatly assist his recovery. He lost the weight and, having experienced the fruits of exercise for the first time in his life, has since embarked on many long-distance fund-raising walks. In 1999, a recurrence of the cancer spread to his lungs, but he now has a clean bill of health. He organizes â€œDanâ€™s 5K Fun Runâ€ for cancer charities from his home in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn.

When my doctor told me to lose the weight, I was kind of overwhelmed: I didnâ€™t expect heâ€™d ask me to lose that much, and Iâ€™d never even liked running when I was a teenager. But I cut out junk food and started jogging every day, from my house up to the Resurrection Church. Iâ€™d get up there and say a prayer. When I went into surgery, I was 170 pounds on the money. The running probably didnâ€™t do muchâ€”I didnâ€™t run that far! But it kept my mind in a good place.

About six months after my surgery, in 1997, I was sitting in a meeting at the hospital, and some nurses and other volunteers were making plans for National Cancer Survivors Day. I said, â€œI think Iâ€™ll walk out to Montauk.â€ It just came out of my mouthâ€”and as I started to think about it, I realized it was probably a little too early to do that distance. When I had gotten back from surgery I couldnâ€™t even make it from my house to the corner. So instead I walked from my parish in Brooklyn to Saint Patrickâ€™s Cathedral, which is around fifteen miles, and did it again the next year. By 1999 I was ready. I walked from the Montauk Point Lighthouse to Saint Patrickâ€™s Cathedralâ€”140 milesâ€”in seven days, starting on National Cancer Survivors Day. After the first day, I put my feet in the pool at the place where I was staying and when I went to get up, I couldnâ€™t. My legs were cramped, and I had to crawl on my knees to a fence to hoist myself up. The next morning, I was walking around in the parking lot and my legs were tight. A car turned inâ€”it must have said on the radio or on TV where I was stayingâ€”and someone rolled down the window and said, â€œLetâ€™s go, Dan!â€ The adrenaline rush â€¦ I wish everybody could feel something like it. It felt like I hadnâ€™t even walked the day before.

On my last day, there were police with me, as there had been the whole time. When I started walking over the 59th Street Bridge, I had chills; when I turned onto Fifth Avenue toward Saint Patrickâ€™s, the police put their sirens on. I felt like all of those who had succumbed to cancer were with me. I was walking by myself, but I wasnâ€™t alone. I felt like I could have walked forever. There were people running alongside me, people were honking their horns, some people at Saint Patâ€™s asked me for my autograph. By the time I was done, Iâ€™d raised $20,000 from all the people who stopped on the highway. My wife and I were blessed by Cardinal Oâ€™Connor, and we took a limo back home. When I got back, I think I walked over to the pizza place. My body was still going.

Reposted from NY Mag

Dan’s 5k Fun Run Video

GerritsenBeach.net — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:41:02 +0000

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Dan’s 5k Fun Run 2009

GerritsenBeach.net — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:58:47 +0000

What aÂ gorgeousÂ day for this event!

Dan Fosters 5k Fun Run and Walk is now in its 7th year event and this year had over 250 participants.

The Brooklyn Borough presidents office, declared todays Dan Fosters 5K Run Day

Benny, from Victorias gave a small speech

and senator Golden came literally running in from the Irish fair, jokingly winning the run. He gave a good send off to Dan Foster and the runners.

Spiderman was even on hand for the race but instead of racing he would jump out and run with the children. This was definitely a highlight.

All in all everyone was very happy, except for one person who can’t help but call GerritsenBeach.net a “little sleazeball” for coverage of the 9-11 memorial service.(video)

Here are the results of the race!

Top Three Male:

Matthew Bilgore 20:57
Gregory Bianco 21:30
Eddie Demaio 21:40

Top Three Female

Kelly Friedman 23:44
Jessica Staniszewski 24:13
Johanna Wilson 24:41

Males:

Under 9: Joseph Coffee 29:07
10-12: Brendan Maloney* 28:30
13-15 Shane Blundell 23:01
16-19 Patrick Kirk 24:02
20-29 Brendan Fogarty 23:20
30-39 Christopher Foster 23:44
40-49 Jim Hayden 22:02
50-59 Sal Rosina 22:19
60-69 Brian Culley 24:00;
70+ George Broadhead 41:12.

Females:

10-12 Kaelyn Edwards 33:47
13-15 Shannon Miller* 34:48
16-19 Katie Burke 50:48
20-29 Jenna Demaio 32:00
30-39 Linda Cappiello 31:48
40-49 Donna Denver 27:29
50-59 Elicia Breen 28:07
60-69 Lauren Olsen 47:38
70+ Claire Ackerina 1:02:53.

Squire’s Trophy: Michael parker 31:07
Gerritsen Beach Rat: Jessica Staniszewski

* These were the trophy recipients announced at the Post Race Party: Due to omitted ages on the finish tags John John Sarubbi with a time of 26:00 won the 10-12 male and waill receive a trophy and Kristen Zwosta with a time under 29 minutes was first female 13-15 and will be adressed by Dan Foster.

Vollies On Hand!

Dan’s 5K Fun Run / Walk Saturday, September 19th 2009

GerritsenBeach.net — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:22:24 +0000

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Dan Foster’s (NY Mag Highlight), 5k fun run is back this year.

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Dans 5k Fun Run Video

GerritsenBeach.net — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:44:48 +0000

Dans 5k Fun Run

GerritsenBeach.net — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:44:26 +0000

Saturday September 13 2008
Dans 5k Fun Run

This years fun run is dedicated to the loving memory of Marlita Mattaliano and Francis T. Walsh

The race started at Gerritsen and Devon, ran along Burnett street, ran through the nature trail behind the nature center then back to the Cort Club.

The southern Brooklyn Fun Run is an idea of Dan Foster to bring people together to support cancer awareness. Dan has been an active crusader to support cancer awareness for over 10 years. His activities have helped raise thousands of dollars for various charities that work with improving the care and information for those affected by cancer. Through his activities Dan has touched the lives of thousands of different people that share the same life altering experience with them and their families.

Photo Gallery

Events: Dan’s 5K Fun Run & Walk

GerritsenBeach.net — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:18:37 +0000

Upcoming Event: Saturday September 13, 2008
11:00 am to 4:00 pm (rain or shine)

This years fun run is dedicated to the loving memory of Marlita Mattaliano and Francis T. Walsh

Here is last years event

Dans 5k Fun Run & Walk

GerritsenBeach.net — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:33:23 +0000

Dans 5k Fun Run Saturday September 15th 2007

The race started at Gerritsen and Devon, ran along Burnett street, ran through the nature trail behind the nature center then back to the Cort Club. Which is about 3 Miles. The fund raised will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Marty Markowitz proclaimed today, Dans 5k Fun Run Day.

The winner ran the race in 19 Minutes 8 Seconds

more pictures here on the Flickr Set

Dan’s 5k Fun Run & Walk

GerritsenBeach.net — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:21:47 +0000

Dan Fosters 5k Fun Run & Walk to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To be held on Saturday September 15th 2007 11:00am rain or shine.

The race will start at Gerritsen and Devon Avenues, the Cort Club, then racers will proceed to the Nature Trail at the Marine Park nature center, then back to the Cort Club.

Maps will be given out the day of the event and the first 100 to register will receive a shirt.

Registration will be $25 the day of the event and $20 early registration.

Registration includes shirt, trophies, food, soda, and tap beer.

Grand Prize Raffle 3,000
Only 300 Tickets to be sold at $20 each.

The Survivor Monologues – Dan Foster

GerritsenBeach.net — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:30:49 +0000

DAN FOSTER, 57
Foster was diagnosed with rectal cancer a decade ago. His doctor, anticipating surgery, told him that dropping from 230 to 170 pounds would greatly assist his recovery. He lost the weight and, having experienced the fruits of exercise for the first time in his life, has since embarked on many long-distance fund-raising walks. In 1999, a recurrence of the cancer spread to his lungs, but he now has a clean bill of health. He organizes â€œDanâ€™s 5K Fun Runâ€ for cancer charities from his home in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn.When my doctor told me to lose the weight, I was kind of overwhelmed: I didnâ€™t expect heâ€™d ask me to lose that much, and Iâ€™d never even liked running when I was a teenager. But I cut out junk food and started jogging every day, from my house up to the Resurrection Church. Iâ€™d get up there and say a prayer. When I went into surgery, I was 170 pounds on the money. The running probably didnâ€™t do muchâ€”I didnâ€™t run that far! But it kept my mind in a good place.

Reposted from NY Mag