Lalor, left, and Molinaro neck-and-neck, in the early going
POUGHKEEPSIE – Before the epic “Melee at the Walkway” race pitting Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro and State Assemblyman Kieran Lalor, the state lawmaker pledged that he would beat the county executive “come hell or high water.” That he did.
Their race with the loser donating $500 to the charity of their choice was part of the half-marathon.
Molinaro choose the charity Abilities First, a Poughkeepsie-based organization that helps integrate people with developmental disabilities into the community, and Lalor choose Julie’s Jungle, an organization dedicated to providing children with safe, accessible, public playgrounds.
“My goal is to complete all 13.1 miles in about two and a half hours,” said Lalor. “That said, come hell or high water, I will beat the county executive! In all seriousness, these are both fantastic charitable organizations doing important work. I’m excited to join County Executive Molinaro to support them.”
Molinaro, who also ran the day before in the inaugural “Think Differently Dash,” explained what transpired on the course, and the results of their dual, after they had both finished.
“I run a steady pace; I think that’s a little bit like who I am,” Molinaro said. “I run a steady pace the entire race; same speed. I don’t pick up, I don’t slow down. Kieran was able to kick that last tenth of a mile and he won by a few seconds, and I salute him for it. Congratulations to him and both of us are just thrilled that we were able to really highlight the two causes that we think highly about: Julie’s Jungle and Abilities First, and all in an effort to encourage people to think differently about those with special needs and really embrace all individuals, of all abilities.”
Although Molinaro lost to Lalor, resulting in him donating $500 to Julie’s Jungle, the effort for Abilities First was not in vain. According to Molinaro, many community members became interested in donating, to both charities, as a result of the attention each of them brought to their respective charities.
The amount of donated money, for each charity over the race weekend, has not yet been tallied. Molinaro said both Lalor and he encourage people to visit each charity’s website, learn about them and donate, if they have the ability, to the charity that speaks most to them.
