Get Ready for Saturday’s PotatoHampton 5K

Everyone’s favorite weekly paper—Dan’s Papers—invites walkers, joggers, and runners of all ages to participate in the 34th annual PotatoHampton 5k “mini-thon” that kicks off this Saturday, June 2 at 9 a.m. on Ocean Road, South of Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton.

CLICK AND SIGN UP HERE FOR THE DAN’S PAPERS POTATOHAMPTON 5K NOW!

Runners will begin at Militia Park, heading south down Ocean Rd, turning onto Paul’s Lane then Halsey Lane and looping around by Hildreth Lane. It continues back on Ocean Road and finishes at the starting point. This route not only encourages people to participate in feel-good exercise for a great cause, but also provides a little touristic sight-seeing route including passing the windmill on Ocean Road and horse farms along Bridge Lane.

PotatoHampton was the very first charitable 5k runs to ever hit the Hamptons. It all began when a New York detective and marathon runner suggested to our editor Dan Rattiner, that a race take place out here in the Hamptons. Shortly after the idea was introduced, Dan organized the operation and poof—PotatoHampton was born! On May 28, 1978 over 500 runners participated in the first ever Hampton’s marathon and the tradition is still running strong three decades later.

Its name was established back in 1978 when the original 10k course took participants past acres of what were then potato farms. As Bridgehampton transitioned and developed, local potato farms were replaced with horse farms and vacation homes. Local runners and Hamptons summer residents have favored the “mini-thon” for its contributions towards local charities, and for its picturesque run.

Registration is open to participants at 7:30 a.m, with the race starting at nine. All partakers are required to pay a small fee of $30 advance/$35 day of event. Proceeds will benefit Jordan’s Initiative—a local nonprofit organization established to honor the life of Jordan Christian Haerter, a 19-year-old marine who was tragically killed by a vehicle-borne in Ramadi, Iraq on April 22, 2008.

Jordan’s father Christian Haerter and partner Michelle Severance began the organization shortly after the his son’s death. The organization takes six different forms including Family Assistance, Care Package Drives which has managed to send hundreds of boxes of food, toiletries and medicine to American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Charitable Support and Wheels to freedom which provides a physically challenged warrior with a custom designed bicycle to fit their specific needs in hopes to speed their recovery, There is also a Community Spirit Award which is presented yearly to outstanding students of Pierson High school grades 9-12 who have distinguished acts of selflessness with volunteer work, Wash for Warriors that allow one local veteran per month to receive drop off, wash and fold laundry services at no charge, and last but not least, “Operation: Garden Rescue!” which is a veteran program designed specifically to the Sag Harbor area and provides deployed members or military veterans a full service lawn, garden make over and one year of free lawn maintenance.

The race has something for everybody. The first 200 registrants get a free T-shirt, and are entered to win a $500 bicycle, which was donated by Twin Forks Bicycle. Twin Forks Bicycle recently opened their new store located on Main St. in Riverhead.

Hamptons Water Company, a new, local name in bottled water has donated their innovative bottled water to the event. The company has created a natural spring water, which is vapor, distilled and strengthened with electrolytes. Each bottle is also designed with a bar code. The bar code can be scanned using a smartphone and automatically take you to the Hamptons Company Website, which includes information on Hamptons events and other local businesses. Hamptons Water Company is also the official water sponsor for the Hamptons Jitney.

The event provides awards for top male and female overall in their specific age categories which are 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59,60-69,70-70 and 80+ and top Male and Female walkers. We hope to see you there!

Check out all the details at: www.danshamptons.com/potatohampton.