Pointing to the ongoing concerns surrounding public health, the event joins a long list of canceled events across the world. Although alternative versions of the race were explored as possibilities, the meet directors ultimately determined not to go the virtual or professional-only route. “We talked about it extensively, but the key motivation for us has always been to do it for the fans. If we don’t have all the kids cheering on track-side, then it just wouldn’t be the Long Island Mile,” says Merber, the Dix Hills native and 3:52 miler for HOKA ONE ONE. 

Safety is the priority right now. The event, which has been held at Bay Shore High School the last two years, is known to draw a couple thousand high schoolers. Given the present New York State and USATF guidelines, the risk is too great and the hurdles too high. Brendan Barrett, the owner of Sayville-Smithtown Running Company and event co-founder expressed his concerns, “The most important thing is the welfare of our running community and a race cancellation is one sacrifice we are willing to make if necessary. We are confident in getting through this together and hope to be back soon bigger and better than ever in 2021.”