by Jeff Benjamin
We really like the idea of honoring an old whipper snapper while he or she can still enjoy it. Staten Island has this crazy fun history of running, which our friend, Jeff Benjamin celebrates. If you can get to the Ocean Breeze AC on February 18. I will get there for a meet soon.
The Ocean Breeze Grand Prix is pleased to announce the naming on the Men’s mile run in honor of hometown favorite Bill Welsh.
Bill is one of the most accomplished coaches and runners in Staten Island history. The former top 20 Boston Marathon finisher went on to an illustrious coaching career He has coached athletes of all levels from the high school to world class, notably 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials Champion Bill Jankunis and top American Sub-4 minute miler Charles Marsala. Inducted into the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame, the 87 years young Welsh still competed in the track, field and roads to this day! Athletes in the men’s mile will be competing for the “Welsh trophy” as well a cash prize for winning the event which includes a bonus if the facility record is broken. The facility record for the Men’s mile stands at 3:57.74 held by Colby Alexander of the New York-New Jersey Track Club. More information to be announced in the upcoming weeks.
The Ocean Breeze Grand Prix for the first time will bring some of the world’s best track and field athletes to Staten Island, offering fans, athletes and spectators alike, the chance to get an up-close view of an elite track & field competition. Being held on February 18th, the Grand Prix will showcase world-class talent as well as some local fan favorites.
With a prize purse of over $30,000, the Ocean Breeze Grand Prix will feature elite events for both men and women including: 60m Dash, 60m Hurdles, 300m Dash, 600m Dash, 1000m Dash, 1 Mile Run, 4 X 800m Relay as well as the Pole Vault and High Jump to round out the field events. In addition to the elite events, the schedule will also include the historically charged CHSAA George T. Eastment Boys 4 X 800m Relay. George T. Eastment was an outstanding coach at Manhattan College and Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. The annual relay has been held every year since 1945 and each year the winner is awarded with the memorial rotating trophy, presented by the Manhattan College Alumni Spiked Shoe Club. This year’s relay will include local hometown pre-meet favorite, St. Peter’s High School. St. Peter’s High School posted the fastest time in the country at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in early January, 2017. St. Peter’s is attempting recapture the trophy and bring it back to Staten Island for the first time since they last won in 1998 at Madison Square Garden.
Staten Island youth athletes will also be competing for the title of “Fastest Boy” and “Fastest Girl” on Staten Island. Boys and girls, ages 8 and under, will be competing in the 55 meter dash. The results will determine who is the fastest on the Island. Come join us for what is going to be an exciting evening of races at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex!
As with all events, the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex is focused on community engagement and participation and will be offering low cost admission tickets for the Ocean Breeze Grand Prix.
Ocean Breeze Grand Prix tickets are currently available online to purchase.
*General Admission Tickets $10.00
*General Admission VIP $40.00
(VIP includes premium seating and additional viewing platforms, drinks, and appetizers)
*General Admission Super VIP $100
(Super VIP includes Premium seating and additional viewing platforms, drinks, and appetizers, as well as a meet and greet at the conclusion of the meet at the South Finn Bar and Grill.)
*General Admission is first come first serve seating in the grandstand.
For additional information including event schedule, awards, and hotels please visit the Ocean Breeze Grand Prix meet home page.
http://oceanbreezenyc.org/
Please also contact Jeff Benjamin for more info- 1-917-692-8922
Tweet us @OBTFAC #OBGP
