(L. to r.): Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., Variety Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors President Suzanne Robotti, candidate for Assembly Aravella Simotas, Gloria D’Amico, Women’s 3K first place winner Sonja Badger, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris and Variety Boys & Girls Club Board Member. Running enthusiasts came out early on September 19 for the seventh annual Hon. Gloria D’Amico Fun Run/Walk at Astoria Park. Sunny skies and a slight breeze made for perfect running conditions as participants gathered at 9:30 a.m. at the track near Shore Boulevard for the start of the race.

Co-sponsored by Consolidated Edison and the Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys & Girls Club, the run is held each year to encourage healthy living.

D’Amico, Queens County Clerk, Clerk of Courts and a Variety Boys & Girls Club board member, sounded the air horn that signaled the start of the 3K race that was followed by a run for kids ages 13 to 15 and another for those age 10 to 12. Seniors joined in the popular senior power walk.

Ryan Bojornas crosses the finish line after winning the Men’s 3K run. Photos Jason D. Antos “This is a wonderful event, where everybody in the community is invited to participate,” D’Amico said.

White tee shirts commemorating the day’s event were provided for the first 300 participants.

Sonja Badger was the first place female winner of the 3K, while Ryan Bojornas took first place for the men.

Chris Yeh won first place in the senior walk for the men and Amelia Guerrero for the women.

“On this weekend of Yom Kippur, we are thankful that God has given us such good weather,” former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. said. “It has never rained once in all the years we have been doing this event.”

Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. and Queens County Clerk and member of the Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors Gloria D’Amico. Photos Jason D. Antos Variety Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors President Suzanne Robotti was joined by City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., Assemblymember Michael Gianaris and candidate for Assembly Aravella Simotas in presenting the winning athletes with their trophies.

Mt. Sinai Queens and the Kiwanis Club of Astoria were also present to give their support and a clown was on hand to entertain youngsters with magic tricks and face painting.

The Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys & Girls Club of Astoria was established in 1955 and is a not-for-profit corporation serving area youth in a 25,000-square-foot, professionally staffed, full service facility. Located at 21-12 30th Rd., it includes an indoor pool, a gymnasium, a game room, a computer room, a library and assorted activity rooms. A full- and part-time staff and legions of volunteers provide more than 1,750 youngsters with homework assistance, tutoring, sports and recreation, aquatics, arts and crafts, fine arts, music, karate, performing arts and game room activities.

Seated (l. to r.) Astoria/LIC Kiwanis President-Elect Donna Furey, Astoria/LIC Kiwanis President Linda Perno and George Perno: standing (l. to r.): Marie Gentile, administrative secretary, Queens County Court, Astoria/LIC Kiwanis Treasurer Michael Serao and Dr. Nicholas & Mrs. Barbara Camarinos were on hand to lend their support for the seventh annual Hon. Gloria D’Amico Fun Run/Walk at Astoria Park. For more information, visit vbgcq.org.