Long May You Run!

By Joe Guastella

At the closing ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Neil Young performed his famous song “Long May You Run”. The Olympic flame was then extinguished. The games were over. Athletes, coaches, families, and spectators all went back to their own lands. Perhaps they brought with them the feeling of community and belonging that is so integral a part of the Olympic experience.

The spirit of the modern Olympic Games has always been embodied and represented by the marathon running race. That race is itself named for The Battle of Marathon (490 BC), at which the greatly outnumbered Athenian army soundly defeated the superior forces of the invading Persian Empire. Pheidippides, who was a courier, a long-distance runner, brought the message of improbable victory and hope back to Athens before collapsing and dying.

It is fitting in a number of ways that Mr. Young chose that particular song. Though it was written about his 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse. Yes, a hearse. The title “Long May You Run” is a perfect fit as an anthem for the Olympics for every competitor in the games. Whether female or male, old or young, however able or differently abled they may have been. It was a tribute to the hard work and dedication that those amateur athletes put in to show their mettle or perhaps to discover it. And long may they all run, beyond the end of the games. May they take that spirit home and spread it throughout the world.

And so, it was In that same Olympic spirit that on Sunday, October 13, 2024 The 52nd Annual LBI Run took place. The final, official number of runners who crossed the finish line of the 18-mile course — Holgate to Old Barney — was 628. Every one of those fearless, determined, dedicated folks, ranging in age from 16 to 77, braved unusually warm temperatures and physical exhaustion to complete the Island’s own version of the grueling race that has been memorialized since the time of Ancient Greece.

Compassion Cafe LBI was represented in the race by Jack Massaro, a veteran customer service staff member at the Cafe. Jack is a dedicated runner who trains hard year-round. He proudly finished in the top third of all runners, cheered on by a throng of very vocal Compassion Cafe staff, parents and volunteers. Jack also had the unwavering support of runners from Achilles International’s NYC chapter, who had been training with him in preparation for the famous New York City Marathon, which followed a few weeks later. A very special shoutout also goes to Jack’s running mate from Achilles, Andrea Quaregna, who was with him every step of the way for the LBI Run. Note: Jack also competed in and finished the London Marathon earlier this spring.

Before the race began, we joined the Compassion Cafe group stationed at the Beach House Restaurant. There were signs and noisemakers and words of encouragement that went out to all who passed in front of us. Even though we were only at mile number 4 of 18, it probably took close to an hour for the hundreds of runners to pass by in front of us. At first, I believed we were there to cheer on one runner. But that did not turn out to be the case. From our vantage point, it was obvious who the more capable, the more athletic runners were- without question. While they certainly raised eyebrows and garnered cheers with their displays of physical prowess, they were NOT the ones who received the loudest cheers, or who moved the crowds of spectators the most. Those who made the greatest impression were those who seemed to be in the most discomfort; those who worked through their physical challenges. There they were, in both body and soul. We witnessed their determination, and we cheered, usually getting a thumbs up in return. We also received something we did not anticipate, something we could keep with us long after we left that day. It was a memory, a picture if you will, of a struggling runner, giving her/his all, one leaden footfall after another, until the race was over and victory obtained. That does not necessarily mean victory on the racecourse, but rather in life itself, for where there is participation there is life. Where there is effort there is life. My favorite hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, once said, “Where there is life there is hope.” That is all we need to remember.

It was stated that the official number of runners who crossed the finish line was 628. However, this does not include almost 400 runners who were part of the shorter 12K race that finished at The St. Francis RC Center in Long Beach Township. The official results also state that the time for the runner who finished at number 628, Judy Klein, age 65 from Palmyra, New Jersey, was four hours, forty-two minutes, fifty-nine point three six seconds and the eldest runner who finished was Donald Younkin, 76 of Philadelphia.

According to a letter to the editor in the October 30 edition of The Sandpaper — Bob Yates, a 77-year-old resident of Beach Haven, continued to run, finally crossing the finish line long after the scorekeepers and organizers went home. He continued to run though the tally was already taken, the crowds had dispersed, and the names were written in the log of history for the race. But for a letter sent by his friend, this man’s accomplishment would have been unknown to the world. Of such stuff is the value of friendship realized.

It was truly an inspirational morning, reminiscent of the personal challenges that our own loved ones with special needs face every single day. It reminded me of the quest for recognition, self-respect, accomplishment, and inclusion that is the essence of Compassion Cafe. It reminded me of the sense of community that can be shared whether participating in a foot race, volunteering at a food bank, gathering supplies for folks in storm-ravaged communities, or being part of a team of emerging customer service representatives, working for their first paycheck.

The value of sports in our lives is that it fosters within us a sense of competition, a sense of camaraderie with teammates, a sense of belonging and participation — even for spectators, even for those on the sidelines. When your favorite team wins, you win along with them. Well, on the day of the LBI Run there was really only one team — with over 1,000 members! The beauty of that day was that it turned out to be for everyone — for those who ran, those who cheered, those who passed out water bottles, those who crossed the finish line, as well as those who did not. So, dear reader, consider joining the winning team and run on down to:

Compassion Cafe at the Oceanfront Sea Shell Resort
10 S. Atlantic Ave, Beach Haven
Tuesday, May 13 through Thursday, September 11, 2025
7 am till 11 am

Compassion Café seeks the integration of teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through paid part-time summer employment in a small coffee shop environment with free hands-on training and ongoing support in an atmosphere of joy, community, love, and unconditional acceptance. By providing meaningful employment our employees gain independence, self-confidence, and work skills for future success. Compassion Café is a 501(c)(3) partnering with local businesses in a true, non-profit model.