STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— The 16th annual Rocco Laurie Memorial Staten Island Triathlon and Duathlon, an athletic competition of endurance, took place at Midland Beach Sunday morning.
The triathlon consisted of a quarter-mile swim, a 12-mile bike ride, and a 4-mile run, while the duathlon consisted of a 2-mile run, a 12-mile bike race, and a 3-mile run. The running portion took place on an out-and-back loop on the South Beach Boardwalk, while bicyclists traversed a 4-mile Father Capodanno Boulevard loop three times. The Staten Island Triathlon/Duathlon is one of the biggest events this season, according to Hunter Lydon, co-race director of New York Triathlon, and about 350 competitors took part in Sunday’s race.
Now in its 16th year, Rocco Laurie NYPD Duathlon/Triathlon continues to honor his memory on August 11, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Shaina McLawrence) Shaina McLawrence “New York Triathlon has been racing since 1983, so this is our 40th year racing in New York,” said Lydon. “It’s a really beautiful community of people.
It’s a multisport community, its not just runners, cyclist, or swimmers, it’s a combination of people willing to challenge themselves to do all three in consecutive motion.” The weekend’s event would not have been possible without the support of the Midland Beach community, NYC parks and the NYPD, said Lydon. “The community here on Staten Island, especially Parks and the NYPD, are very helpful with this event,” said Lydon.
“It just goes so smoothly. We had 23 lifeguards and NYPD closed off the roads for us..
. If it weren’t for the Midland Beach community being cool with all of that stuff, then we would never be able to pull off a 350-person event here.” The aspect that makes the New York City Triathlon’s event unique from other races in the same category is that race organizers make sure novice athletes can participate.
“I participated in the duathlon — me and my partner rode it on the bike,” said Himenshu Das of Queens. “We have been participating in these regular events as a weekend thing just for fun.” The race also benefitted the Rocco Laurie Scholarship Fund; more than $60,000 has been contributed in the past.
The race is the fifth race in a series conducted by New York Triathlon; there are four more races left this season. “I think it’s a really good test of your aerobic strength. It’s a challenging, yet fun, thing to do,” said participant Justin Grant of Bay Ridge Brooklyn.
“It’s a challenging thing to figure out, find your limits then push them, and these events make it really easy to go out and try it if it is your first time.” Now in its 16th year, Rocco Laurie NYPD Duathlon/Triathlon continues to honor his memory on August 11, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Shaina McLawrence) Shaina McLawrence The race started at 7:30 a.
m., at the west end of the Father Capodanno Boulevard. Triathletes took off from the beach for their swim start, while duathletes started their run on the Franklin D.
Roosevelt Boardwalk. Lifeguards and NYPD Water Patrol were on duty to ensure a safe and successful swim for all athletes. Now in its 16th year, Rocco Laurie NYPD Duathlon/Triathlon continues to honor his memory on August 11, 2024.
(Staten Island Advance/Shaina McLawrence) Shaina McLawrence The event is meant to honor the memory of Rocco Laurie, a Vietnam veteran and NYPD officer, who lost his life while serving his fellow New Yorkers in 1972. Now in its 16th year, Rocco Laurie NYPD Duathlon/Triathlon continues to honor his memory on August 11, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Shaina McLawrence) Shaina McLawrence Larry Ambrosino, a childhood friend of Laurie’s, came up with the idea for this race as a way to honor his friend while also raising money for the Rocco Laurie Scholarship Fund.
Now 16 years later, the Rocco Laurie Memorial Race is still going strong, a testament not only to the enduring legacy of Laurie but also to the dedicated participation of the runners, swimmers and cyclists who participate each year. Results for the Staten Island Tri/Duathlon can be found on the New York City Triathlon website..
