W’chester Corporations Unite on a Fun Run to Help Blythedale
There are always obstacles when launching a new event, but those responsible for Thursday evening’s Corporate FunRun at Purchase College certainly appeared to hit one out of the park.
Close to 50 Westchester-based corporations and more than 1,000 runners and walkers participated in the inaugural 5K around the SUNY Purchase campus that was expected to raise about $30,000 for Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla.
Bruce Pienkney, the organizer of the event and a longtime runner and triathlon competitor, said he and other running enthusiasts were searching for a way to combine one of their favorite activities with a philanthropic endeavor.
Patterned after corporate runs that have sprouted throughout the country, Pienkney explained it was important to identify and partner with a local organization that companies could rally behind. For the better part of the past year, he worked with Lena Cavanna, Blythedale’s director of community and media relations, to make the event a reality.
“We chose a local charity that would resonate with our participants,” Pienkney said. “A lot of our participants have children, they’re family people (and) they could relate to the Blythedale mission.”
Cavanna said after prodding from Pienkney she reached out to Westchester’s corporate community and the contacts at companies she has cultivated relationships with in order to get sponsors and participants.
There were 58 runners and walkers representing Blythedale in the race.
“It was an opportunity for Blythedale to get its message out there and it was an opportunity for us to really educate people on who we are, what we do in that we’re Westchester based, and then to our partners, stand up for us and come out and want to sponsor and support us,” Cavanna said. “It was a situation we couldn’t turn down and it’s been great when you look at the people that are here and the corporations that are supporting us.”
A wide variety of corporations participated, including Pepsico, Morgan Stanley, Evian, White Plains Hospital and ProClinix Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Wellness.
Each corporation had employees, friends and family represent them in the competition. Those who traversed the course could choose to run or walk and if they didn’t want to be timed that was okay, too, Pienkney said.
While ProClinix was one of the many sponsors, the Pleasantville and Armonk-based company dominated the run. Jay Feinstein, a summer intern, won for the men, completing the course in 16:46, far in front of his competition. Wendi Robinson, who started working at ProClinix about a month-and-a-half ago, won for the women in 20:12.
Feinstein, a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island where he runs track, said he wasn’t concerned about his time but wanted to stay sharp for the upcoming season.
“It was a good workout out there and I was pleased with how I did,” he said.
Robinson, who ran track at the University of Indiana and still competes in about five or six events a year, said it felt great to be able to contribute to such a worthy effort.
“It’s cool to be part of something that’s going to such a great organization,” said Robinson, who plans to start in the Philadelphia Marathon this fall. “Hopefully, it’ll continue to grow every year and we’re excited to be a part of it.”
Making it an even bigger event is what organizers and sponsors are aiming to do. Dr. Brian Dombal, director of Physical Therapy at ProClinix, said he wouldn’t be surprised if there were close to 3,000 runners next year.
“I think it’s going to be one of the best corporate events around,” Dombal said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
