During a super day of fun and exercise, people from all walks of life came together to support a mighty good cause.

On Saturday morning, Long Islanders of all ages gathered at Patchogue’s Shorefront Park for a superhero-themed 5K run to raise funds for GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island, a Down syndrome achievement center located in Patchogue, during Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The inaugural event was a huge hit, as the nonprofit organization surpassed its initial goal of 150 runners by attracting 157.

“What a race like this represents is community,” said Rob Cutrone, the founder of Patchogue’s Coho Coffee House and a co-host of the event. “It means the world to be a part of such a great event like this.”

Over the course of the hour-long event, the participants had the option to run or walk at their own pace around the neighborhood bordering the Great South Bay, as GiGi’s Playhouse offered registrants a one-mile course along with the 5K. Because of the run’s superhero theme, runners came decked out in superhero shirts, costumes and capes.

Dr. George Ciresi, co-owner of Professional Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, and who works closely with GiGi’s Playhouse, was moved by the event.

“It almost brought a tear to my eye when the national anthem started and a young man was singing along,” Ciresi said. “That’s what it’s all about. We’re all God’s children and it’s just a beautiful event.”

In terms of fundraising, all the proceeds will be put towards the free therapeutic and educational services that GiGi’s Playhouse offers to anyone with Down syndrome, autism, or any other learning disability. Though the grand fundraising total has not been announced yet, the first 150 runners paid $30 to register and anyone after that was charged either $35 or $40, depending on when they signed up.

Additionally, Sunbelt Rentals donated $4,000 to GiGi’s Playhouse. That donation was made possible by Sunbelt market field service manager Kristin Clements, whose daughter got her involved with the organization two years ago.

“When I was first introduced to GiGi’s Playhouse, it was an amazing experience,” Clements said. “It automatically pulled on my heartstrings. I brought it to Sunbelt, and we found that this is the most giving and caring organization. This is everything that’s good about giving back to your community.”

Following the 5K, GiGi’s Playhouse offered bagels, water, and other snacks to attendees, while also handing out medals to the top three overall male and female performers and the top finishers from several different age brackets, such as the 30-39 male winner Jorge Martinez. Runners like Martinez and Brandon Bruno were thrilled to be able to show off their skills while simultaneously raising money for a good cause.

“I’ve been a runner for a long time, and I love to go on runs with my father,” Bruno said. “I enjoy going for runs everywhere and I love the races. I’ve been to GiGi’s two times and it’s an amazing place to go to.”

The event was made possible by Mike Cirigliano, who is the president of GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island. Born and raised in Patchogue and now the owner of his own insurance agency in the village, Cirigliano got involved with GiGi’s Playhouse seven years ago, when he sponsored the startup’s first event and served as its financial chair. Since getting the funds to get the startup off the ground during the pandemic, Cirigliano has hosted several events for GiGi’s Playhouse, including an annual field day event, gala and golf outing.

With the success of the 5K run, Cirigliano plans on making this an annual event held during the first weekend of October each year and is looking to open a bigger playhouse due to their expanding reach across Long Island.

“When I started seven years ago, I got to meet a lot of beautiful families on Long Island that had individuals with Down syndrome,” Cirigliano said. “With me not being a parent of a child with Down syndrome, it was a learning experience. I realized how special of a community this is to be a part of and I wanted to make sure the rest of our Long Island community got that feeling, too. As I learned about the programs, I became obsessed with making sure we opened up, and once we did, the floodgates opened. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of.”

Anthony DiCocco is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.