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QC07252013

62 THE QUEENS COURIER • JULY 25, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com sports RUNNING THROUGH QUEENS FUNDRAISER FOR AUTISM ▶ 7K take part in 10K BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com Nearly 7,000 runners took part in the New York Road Runners Queens 10K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on July 21. Runners came from all over for the race, which featured about six miles around the park, including in front of Citi Field, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and the Unisphere. “It was fun to run next to Citi Field,” said men’s winner Christian Thompson, who hails from Philadelphia and left before 5 a.m. to make the race. “I’ve never been here and I love seeing places I’ve never seen before. And NYC is just unlike any other place on earth.” The event was the third race of the Road Runners five-borough tour series. Participants were given discounts to save on food and shows at local Queens businesses, such as The Queens Theatre, The Museum of the Moving Image, Limoncello Italian Restaurant, The Laughing Devil Comedy Club and Donovan’s Pub, among others. For some of the runners it worked as a stepping stone and practice for the New York City Marathon in November, the Road Runners premier event. In her first time running in Queens, Jayne Grebinski was the female winner and set a new record, completing the course in 37:20. “I’m honored. It’s nice to get into a race, to be able to get out there and know that you are on-line with the competition with years past,” Grebinski said. Since the Boston Marathon tragedy the Road Runners have increased security, use bomb sniffing dogs before races and require runners to carry clear bags if they need to carry items. But many participants weren’t concerned with a terror threat at the event. “I’m not going to stop living my life or having fun, because stuff happens, Forest Hills native Rahmin Pavlovic said. THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre Play4Autism held a darts tournament with the proceeds going to new programs for kids with the disorder. BULL’SEYE Darts tournament raises money for autism BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com A darts tournament in Middle Village was a bull’s-eye for children with autism. Play4Austim, a nonprofit that provides sports and activities for children with the disorder, raised nearly $450 to support new programs at the event on July 13 at Pat’s Sports Bar on Metropolitan Avenue. “Everyone is coming in to have fun at the darts tournament, but at the same time to raise awareness for the foundation,” said founder Greg Vasicek. “It spreads awareness for people who are not aware of autism and for the families, it brings a closer niche-type community.” A dozen participants competed in the tournament for $10 each. The winner, Marty Mueller, received $60 while the remaining funds were donated to the organization. Mueller also decided to give his winnings to charity. “I’ll keep the trophy, but the money is for the kids,” he said. Following the tournament, there was a raffle for gift baskets that raised an additional $320 for the foundation. The sports Play4Austim encourages among autistic children throughout the year include street hockey, basketball, t-ball, soccer and even Tiger Schulmann’s Karate lessons. It also sponsors music lessons and arts and craft activities, and is seeking to add acting and science lessons as well. The organization’s events are mostly funded through donations and fundraisers such as the darts tournament, which Pat’s immediately signed up for when asked. “It’s a neighborhood bar, you’re supposed to give back,” said owner Pat Grillo. “The idea is about them. It’s not about us.” About one in 88 children are affected by autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism is a neurological disorder that impairs a person’s ability to communicate and form relationships. So far, there is no known cure. Vasicek has a personal connection with the condition because his nephews have autism. Since he played ice hockey professionally in Europe for 15 years, Vasicek wanted to help children with autism through sports. “I pray every day there will be” a cure, he said. “But my dream is that these kids could integrate into society.” Photos Courtesy by New York Road Runners Starting line: Nearly 7,000 runners took part in the Queens 10K race. Runners saw some of the best that Queens has to offer including the Unisphere, Citi Field and the National Tennis Center.


QC07252013
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