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Mike Tobin runs 165 miles from
Cape May to Staten Island

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Saturday, September 16, 2000 - The group of runners crested the hill on Victory Boulevard. In front of them lay the long down hill adjacent to Clove Lakes Park. This is not an uncommon sight for runners on Staten Island. Many of us start and end our Saturday or Sunday long runs in this beautiful park. But for Staten Islander Mike Tobin this was something different. He was within a quarter mile of completing what seems almost incomprehensible to most of us. He was at the end of a 3 day, 165 mile run from Cape May, NJ to Staten Island. The run, which eclipsed last years run from Staten Island to Atlantic City, raised money for the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation.

Mike left Cape May Thursday morning and covered 65 miles in his first day. After a good night's sleep he put in another 57 miles on Friday. Saturday, with 122 miles behind him, he took off to complete the remaining 43 miles. Mike, with a Fire Department escort with its sirens blaring, arrived at the 165 mile mark on Victory Blvd. near Clove Lakes Park at approximately 3:45 in the afternoon. He was greeted by nearly 100 friends, family, and supporters, some holding posters, others waving flags, cheering and yelling his name. Asked how he felt, Mike said "Good, my legs feel good. I felt a pain in the front of my ankle last night," he said, "When I woke up this morning the pain was still there when I walked on it." Knowing he still had over 40 miles to go he started running and his ankle felt okay. "When I stopped for a drink of water and walked on it", Mike continued, "it started to hurt again". So he decided that there would be no more walking breaks today, only running.

Mike was escorted by many runners during his trek. Most notably, Jeff Giordano, of the Burn Center, and Gary Mazalatis who spent the entire three days with Mike either running or driving the support vehicle. Tommy Hart accompanied Mike on bike for most of Thursday and all day Saturday. Spencer Ellis put in many miles over two days. Dave Caputo put in 23 miles on Saturday. Scott LaPiedra Jr., son of hero firefighter Scott LaPiedra who lost his life in the line of duty in 1998, accompanied Mike for the last 3.5 miles.

 After all the hoopla, handshaking, and picture taking the group moved down the block to the Marine Corp. League headquarters for a barbecue where Mike could take off his shoes, eat some pasta and take a well deserved rest.

If you would like to help support the Burn Center, it's not too late. Click here for a printable donation form.