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by GEORGE KOCHMAN
It's becoming increasingly difficult for local runners to mount the victory stand at Staten Island's major road races, but several Islanders will give it a try on Sunday when the seventh annual Scott's Race is held at Clove Lakes Park.
Starting time for the 5K run is 10 a.m.
The race honors the memory of NYC Fire Captain Scott LaPiedra, who died in July of 1998 after suffering injuries fighting a five-alarm fire in the East New York section of Brooklyn. LaPiedra was a hero firefighter, but also a popular member of the local running community who completed several marathons.
The race annually produces the biggest fields at any local road race, with more than 1,000 runners expected to compete.
Until last year, only Shawn Williams and the legendary Kari Proffitt had been able to turn back the off-Island invaders.
Last year's race, however, produced an exciting finish, with two local females, Barbara Byrne and Mary Curran, battling to the wire. Curran was the winner by a mere three seconds.
Curran, Byrne, and a host of other top women locals are expected to compete.
The leading local male racer this spring has been Scott Lamorte, now back in condition after two years of low-level training and racing.
There are always plenty of extras at the LaPiedra Run, including fine food, beverages, raffles, games and kid's races, which make this event a fun day for the entire family.
And there's also fine prizes for the top finishers.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three overall male and female runners, and to the top three in ten-year age groupings.
Additional prizes go to the top three Cydesdale and Athena runners, top three firefighters and police officers, and to all Special Olympians.
Team awards will be presented to leading men's and women's open and masters teams, and to the top firefighter squads.
This is the first of three races to determine the winner of the James Halverson Award, which will be given to the top firefighter, based on cumulative times from Scott's Race, the Ronaldson Run, and the Celic Run.
Pre-registration will take place at Jody's Club Forest, 372 Forest Ave., on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. and on Saturday at Blessed Sacrament School, 30 Manor Road, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Pre-race entry fee is $15.
All registrants are guaranteed a high-quality T-shirt.
Runners may also enter on race day from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Clove Lakes Park administration building. Race-day entry fee is $20.
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