Sports Briefs: 08.24.17
Ellen’s Run
As he did at Jordan’s Run in Sag Harbor three weeks before, Troy Taylor, a 4:02 miler who has been working this summer at a Gubbins Running Ahead store in East Hampton, won Sunday’s Ellen’s Run 5K in Southampton, in 15 minutes and 40.96 seconds, breaking by 14 seconds the record that a former Gubbins employee, Nick Lemon, set in 2015.
Kira Garry, a former Yale University cross-country and track runner, was the women’s winner (and fifth over all) in 16:58.97. The popular race, which helps to fund breast cancer outpatient services here, drew 816 registrants. There were 713 finishers.
Not only Taylor, but the runner-up and third-place finishers, Dylan Fine, 20, of Water Mill, and Gustavo Morastitla, 17, a Southampton High School senior, broke the record with their 15:51.87 and 15:53.01 clockings.
Legends Pro-Am
John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Chris Evert, Mats Wilander, and Pat Cash — tennis legends all — will be among those playing in a pro-am at the Sportime club in Amagansett from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday to raise money for the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, whose mission, according to the elder McEnroe, is to “bring tennis to New York City kids who could not otherwise get to play, and to develop some great New York players.”
“We have created an annual event with 128 players, which is the size of a Grand Slam draw — pretty incredible. This year, we have added Chris Evert and Pat Cash to the group, joining my brother and me, and Mats, with more players to come.”
“It’s a unique opportunity to play with some of the game’s greats or to watch great tennis right before the U.S. Open, and to support a great cause in doing so,” Patrick McEnroe added.
A party for players, guests, and fans, at which there will be hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, an open bar, dancing, live entertainment, and a live auction, is to follow the tennis. Those looking to play or to buy tickets can do so online through jmtpny.org.
Junior Tourney
A Hampton Cup singles tournament for junior players ages 5 through 12 — a benefit for Project Most — is to be held Saturday at Hampton Racquet on Buckskill Road, East Hampton, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“All levels are welcome,” said the club’s owner, John Graham. “It’s a family day that will include the junior tournament, a barbecue, and activities including an arcade, face painting, a bounce house, and an obstacle course. There will be trophies, raffle tickets, and more surprises.”
As for Project Most, Graham said, “We believe in the children of East Hampton and want to help to sustain programs that allow them to grow as individuals and find their way into adulthood. With programs like Project Most, which helps to create brighter futures and to develop future leaders for this community, children learn that anything is possible.”
Classic Arrives
The Hampton Classic Horse Show is to begin a weeklong stay at the 60-acre Snake Hollow Road showgrounds in Bridgehampton on Sunday with various competitions for Long Island riders.
Leadline classes for children as young as 2 years old in the Grand Prix ring will get the show going at 8 a.m. The $30,000 Boar’s Head Jumper Challenge, the day’s main event, is to be contested in that ring at 2 p.m. There will be hunter competitions, including the $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby in the Anne Aspinall ring at 2, from 8 a.m., as well.
There are no classes scheduled for the Grand Prix or hunter rings Monday, though the Long Island Show Series for Riders With Disabilities finals are to be held that day in Jumper Ring 2 from 10 a.m.
Beginning Tuesday there will be hunter and jumper action in six rings from 8 a.m. each day through Saturday, Sept. 2. The show is to end with the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix presented by Sovaro on Sunday, Sept. 3.
McLain Ward, Richie Moloney, Georgina Bloomberg, Callan Solem, Kevin Babington, and Shane Sweetnam are among two dozen top professional riders entered.
Fight Night
The Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor boxing match is to be televised at the Indian Wells Tavern in Amagansett Saturday, beginning with “prefight festivities” at 9 p.m. The fight is to begin at 10.
According to a release, “There will be a $50 cover charge. The first 50 people will receive a free goodie bag with swag. There will be drink specials and giveaways throughout the fight. The fight will be displayed on five HD televisions and a 10-foot screen in the main dining room.”