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A third annual race classic and summer festival at Wolfe's Pond Park is slated for Saturday in memory of Louis Arena, one of the 11 firefighters from Ladder 5 in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, who lost his life during the attacks on the World Trade Center. Mr. Arena, whose 35th birthday would have been on Sunday, was an avid runner. He, along with his wife, Wanda, ran often in Wolfe's Pond Park. Wanda is an emergency medical technician, who volunteered at the rescue-and-recovery efforts at Ground Zero.
The day will begin with a 5-kilometer cross-country run, which traverses the beach, the woods and the fields of the Prince's Bay park.
The race begins at 10 a.m. Interested folks may register on Saturday.
"As the runners cross the finish line, a full day of festivities begins. We have children's rides, live music and a barbecue. The children get to compete in their own event," says Matthew J. Lebow, one of the organizers. "The Louis Arena children's fun run and obstacle course promises to be a wonderfully good time," he adds.
Musical entertainment will be by Funk Express.
Louis Arena's kind nature became evident when he was a toddler. When he was only 3 years old, he ventured over to the A & P to search for a loaf a bread after his sister, JoAnn Arena-Eisinger, complained that she was hungry.
"Wanda Arena, Louie's widow, has put her heart and soul into the family-fun aspect of the event," Mr. Lebow says. "The course for the event is almost completely made of trails built and maintained by members of FDNY Ladder 5 and Engine 24."
The trails were constructed under the guidance of the New York Adventure Racing Association and International Mountain Bike Association.
A firefighter for six years, Mr. Arena was assigned to Ladder 5 after working at Ladder 225 in East New York and Engine Company 309 in Brooklyn.
Interested parties may telephone Mr. Lebow at (646) 294-7730 or Mrs. Arena at (917) 796-8452.
A street has also been renamed in Arena's memory; the sign can be seen at the intersection of Richmond and Nome avenues in New Springville. It was unveiled last year on June 1.
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