Laurie Harris Hope And Dreams 5K

Written by Linda C

On a beautiful clear Saturday morning, red, black, and white singlets dotted Firefighters Field on Roosevelt Island as the members of the New York Flyers and other runners gathered to wait for the start of The Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K.  As a relatively new member of the Flyers, I only recently met Laurie Harris, but when you meet her, you understand why a group of people would come together to organize a race in her honor in order to raise funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer – the disease she is currently battling. 

A buzz of energy emanated from the crowd.   Laurie Harris, accompanied by her husband Neal, father-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and Paco the wonder dog, was surrounded all day by a swirl of people. Whether these runners came out to Roosevelt Island because of a connection to Laurie, a connection to the Flyers, a connection with pancreatic cancer, or just to run a 5K, everyone seemed to be having a good time. 

Laurie with Flyers and Family Taking On The course

Rita D

New York Flyers’ President Alan G addressed the crowd prior to the race start noting that this was the first race organized by the Flyers in its 24 year history.  The Flyers’ very own Rita D sang the national anthem just before the start of the race.

NYCRUNS’ provided timing and other race management services.  NYRR provided the technical race shirts, featuring a caricature of Laurie designed by Laurie's daughter, Tracey.  Sponsors included NYRR, Skechers, NY Running Company, Duane Reade,  Granoff Architects, and the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.  Sizeable donations and contributions to the post-race raffle also were provided, including by Joey Harary of the Moret Group and a one-year Gold Membership by Asphalt Green.

Runners on the Course

While there was definitely a Flyers reunion feel to the race, it still was a race as the horn sounded, and we were off!.  This was evident as those at the front dashed out.  The male winner, Logan Yu, came in with a time of 16:44, and the female winner, Una Broderick, came in with a time of 19:41.  Laurie Harris walked a portion of the course with her family, some Flyers, and Dr. Yu, Laurie’s oncologist from Memorial Sloan Keterring.

Race Awards
and Raffle Winners

Following the official race announcements, including the presentation by Laurie of awards to the race winners and raffle winners, the Flyers gathered for a group photo.

Janet H handed out “L” shaped crisped rice treats that she cleverly crafted after an entire night of baking and wrapping, and which we lifted in our team photo as a tribute to Laurie.    

Flyers Team Pic Tribute for Laurie on Roosevelt Island

There were more than 550 runners registered for The Inaugural Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K and there were 461 official finishers.  The race raised roughly $25,000 for the Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Cancer Research Center, from race registration proceeds and sponsor contributions.  By all accounts the inaugural Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K was a success, not just for the funds raised and the running of a good race, but for opportunity to celebrate a long-time Flyers member, Laurie Harris. 

To view a Skechers infomercial that includes footage of Flyers from the race and the pre-race Soiree, please click HERE.

Before I officially met Laurie Harris, all I knew of her was that she was fighting pancreatic cancer, but still managed to finish ahead of me at NYRR’s races.  I had an opportunity to contact some Flyers members for their thoughts on the race and found some of the reasons for their endearing love for Laurie.

Heather M at the Race 
with Long-Time Flyer John W

Heather M noticed Laurie Harris at NYRR races long before they met.  Heather noted that Laurie “was easy to spot and always stood out because of her beautiful blonde mane flowing freely as she ran.”  She later got to know her better as a team member, volunteering and participating in some of the same local triathlons together when Laurie was always a podium winner!

About the race, Heather remarked on how widespread the love for Laurie is and how far her amazing spirit and strength reached, bringing “old timers” together for the race.  Frank C, Barry B with his wife Divya and their new son, Susan H and her family, Laura L, Ariella E, her husband and twin sons, and many more.   Long-distance Flyers Monika G, Tom D and their daughter Bo came up from North Carolina for the event. Heather also noted how heartwarming it was to learn that Flyers members no longer residing in the tri-state area were inspired to participate in the race by running “virtual” 5Ks, including Gina B in England, and Angela G, Carrie B, Julie G, Sandy B and Maria D around the US.  Heather also commented on the "coziness" of the race and how there was a “very special feeling and energy surrounding the race and Laurie, like a warm embrace.”

Francine A with Janet H at the Race
Looking Cool in their Shades

Francine A adds that one Flyer met Laurie more than 50 years ago! Gary Z and Laurie attended Hebrew school together.  They were reunited thanks to the Flyers.  Gary, his wife Eileen, and his son Jesse all did the race. Jesse brought along a many of his North Brooklyn Runner teammates, including the race winner! Members of Millrose and of Mercury Masters, many of whom have been racing against Laurie for two decades, turned out in force.  

Flyers Race Director Scott C, looking back on the race, noted that it exceeded his expectations in every way.   Scott, too, commented on how the race brought together so many of our teammates for “what turned into the most beautiful reunion of new and older members in one place to meet and reminisce and feel good about being together!”  Scott also commented that he was overjoyed for a few hours when everything came together on race day.  However, he noted that his “happiness is tempered by the very genuine reality of what Laurie is going through daily in her fight to survive.”  He concluded that his belief that the race gave Laurie purpose, gave him a determination to make the race as special as possible and that's what made the race worthwhile and he was happy to be a part of it.

Scott, Laurie and Paco!

Alan G recalled that when he joined the Flyers in 2008, he did not know Laurie, but recognized her from NYRR races.  He noted that it was not until 2010 when he learned who Laurie was and learned about her incredible running career.  Alan remarks that, “I just knew she represented what running is all about...getting out there, getting your run on and enjoying yourself.  Laurie always runs with a big smile that radiates sunshine for miles.”  Alan credits Laurie (and her husband Neal) with teaching him “much about positivity, warmth, Zen-ness and the power of a good soul.”  He describes Laurie as having indomitable resilience and warmth, compassion and selflessness that “is a model for us all,” and concluded that “one cannot help but love her (and Neal, too!, as they are two peas in a pod).”

Husband Neal, Paco, Laurie and Granddaughter Matisse 
as They Dash to the Finish Line

Alan described the race as magnificent and a landmark event for the New York Flyers and all running clubs and said that he looks forward to doing it all again next year. 

Were Quinnipiac Polling Institute out on Roosevelt Island to poll the runners of The Inaugural Laurie Harris 5K, I think there would be an overwhelming consensus that we, like Scott, were all happy to be a part of the race and we, like Alan, look forward to doing it all again next year. 

-Linda C