POUGHKEEPSIE – 16-year veteran cop, Alonzo Montanya, is running in the TCS NYC Marathon on November 7th to support the Special Olympics NY. It is the first time that the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputy has attempted to run the 26.1 mile course.
Montanya is the DCSO liaison for the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. He was assigned the duty from DCSO Captain John Watterson who is an avid runner. The deputy said “It’s my first year as the DCSO liaison and there is a lot of extra weight on my shoulders as the Sheriff’s representative.” Montanya has participated in the torch run along with several coworkers, for the last 10 years.
He is running the marathon as a tribute to his niece Cerise, a Special Olympics Athlete. “Cerise was born diagnosed with Down Syndrome and she has been such a positive impact on our family, so for this reason, I am running in her honor”.
Teresa Gilli, the Director of Development for Special Olympics NY for the Hudson Valley Region is credited with pushing the deputy towards the marathon. The Special Olympics sponsors runners for the TCS NYC Marathon, and Gilli said his repeated fundraising efforts between the torch run and the Polar Plunge, made him an ideal candidate.
One of the requirements to participate on the Special Olympics NY team was raising a minimum of $3,500 for the Special Olympics. Montanya said that through the support of friends, family, co-workers, and others, he has raised more than $6,000. The team of 34 runners has raised more than $100,000 this year.
Montanya had a special race shirt designed and sold advertising to sponsors. One of the first people to sign on was the late Dutchess County Sheriff, Butch Anderson. “It’s one of the last things he sponsored before passing away,” said Montanya, adding “Knowing he believed in me and my cause is added motivation. Community first and treating people the way I want to be treated is as much a part of why I am running and supporting the Special Olympics NY. I now look forward to the challenge of completing the Marathon in his honor, that of his family, and the legacy of his values and beliefs”.
Donations are still being accepted, according to Montanya. To support the cause, click here.
