If any of your 2011-2012 resolutions include running a marathon then you’re in luck as there is no shortage of marathons and races held on Long Island. As you train for a marathon you’ll be doing yourself a favor by staying active and fit. Completing a marathon will give you an ultimate sense and feeling of accomplishment. And many marathons are held in the name of a cause, so not only will you be bettering yourself but you’ll be giving back to your community and those in need.

 

1. AHEPA Suffolk County Half Marathon

When: Sunday March 25, 2012 at 9am
Start: SCCC, Ammerman Campus Gymnasium, County Road 97, Selden
Finish: SCCC, Ammerman Campus Gymnasium, County Road 97, Selden
Distance: 13 miles
Duration: N/A
Fees: $20
Info: Proceeds and financial gifts from sponsors help to provide scholarships to deserving students through the Suffolk County Community College and the AHEPA Scholarships funds. Contributions are also made to Special Olympics, United Cerebral Palsy of Great Long Island, The Huntington Breast Cancer Society Action Coalition, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

 

2. Jigsaw Run – Walk for Autism

When: Sunday April 22, 2012 at 9:30am
Start: East Islip Marina, Bayview Avenue, East Islip
Finish: East Islip Marina, Bayview Avenue, East Islip
Distance: 4 Miles
Duration: N/A
Fees: $25
Info: Proceeds go to the EJ Autism Foundation and Autism Research.

 

3. Race for Spinal Victory

When: Sunday April 22, 2012 at 9am
Start: Wantagh High School, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh
Finish: Wantagh High School, 3301 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh
Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: N/A
Fees: $20-$30
Info: Benefits spinal cord research and the Long Island Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center.

 

4. 2012 Long Island Marathon

When: Sunday May 6, 2012 at 8am
Start: Charles Lindbergh Boulevard
Finish: Mitchel Athletic Complex
Distance: 26.2 Miles
Duration: 6 hours
Fees: $65
Info: Participants must be at least 16 years old.

 

5. Elizabeth T. McNamee 5K Run

When: Sunday May 13, 2012 at 9am
Start: West Islip High School, 1 Lions Path, West Islip
Finish: West Islip High School, 1 Lions Path, West Islip
Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: N/A
Fees: $20-$25
Info: This event is held to support awareness of and research on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the number one cause of sudden death in America’s youth. Various community and scholarship programs also receive support through proceeds.

 

6. Healing Heart 5K

When: May 20, 2012 at 10am
Start: Martha Clara Vineyard, 6025 Sound Avenue, Riverhead
Finish: Martha Clara Vineyard, 6025 Sound Avenue, Riverhead
Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: N/A
Fees: $25-$30
Info: Proceeds go to benefit the American Heart Association.

 

7. 2012 LIMA 5K Run

When: Saturday June 2, 2012 at 8am
Start: Long Island MacArthur Airport, 100 Arrival Avenue, Ronkonkoma
Finish: Long Island MacArthur Airport, 100 Arrival Avenue, Ronkonkoma
Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: N/A
Fees: $25
Info: Proceeds go to Long Island 9-1-1 Veterans Inc. to support local veterans.

 

8. Ellen’s Run

When: Sunday August 19, 2012 at 9am
Start: Southampton Hospital, 240 Meeting House Lane, Southampton
Finish: Southampton Hospital, 240 Meeting House Lane, Southampton
Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: N/A
Fees: $40
Info: Proceeds support the new Ellen Hermanson Breast Cancer Center at Southampton Hospital.

 

9. Hamptons Marathon

When: September 29, 2012 at 8am
Start: Springs School, 48 School Street, East Hampton
Finish: Springs School, 48 School Street, East Hampton
Distance: 26.2 Miles
Duration: 6 hours
Fees: $85-$100
Info: Proceeds will benefit Project Most, an East Hampton charity that provides after school services for children in elementary and middle schools.

 

10. Divas Half Marathon

When: October 7, 2012 at 8am
Start: Eisenhower Park, 1899 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow
Finish: Eisenhower Park, 1899 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow
Distance: 13 miles
Duration: 3.5 hours
Fees: $75 ($60 for early registration)
Info: Women only.