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Runners take off from the starting line to kick off the sixth annual Minds Over Matter 5K in Sag Harbor. Photos by Eileen Casey

Sag Harbor - The rain that swept through the East End early on Saturday put a damper on weekend plans and the numbers of racers who took part in the sixth annual Minds Over Matter 5K in Sag Harbor. However, it couldn't dampen the spirit of the race, a community movement to raise funds for the Gwen L. Kosinski Foundation benefiting brain tumor research.

The MOM 5K raised over $10,000 for the Kosinski Foundation, which donates money to cancer research centers around the country.

The 5K has steadily grown with each year, starting with registration in the low 200s for the inaugural race in 2004. Last year, it drew a record 530 registrants. For this past weekend, organizers were hoping to draw close to 700 participants for the race but the bleak weather kept many from toeing the starting line. Still, a turnout of 250 runners and walkers was strong taking into account the slick conditions.

"This time we had less than half of what we had last year and less than I was anticipating, but considering the thunder and lightning that we had to deal with, I was pleased," Foundation President Jaime Kosinski, the daughter of the woman for whom the organization is named, said.

Kosinski calls brain tumors "the most underfunded cancer research area" because the survival rate isn't as high as the causes whose fundraising efforts are the forefront. Her mother, Gwen Kosinski, was diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumor and after a two-and-a-half-year battle with the disease lost her life on May 29, 2002. "She was just a wonderful human being," her daughter said. "She was very quiet actually; she didn't like being the center of attention. If she knew that her name was on a banner at end of Main Street and there was a foundation named after her, she would be so embarrassed but also really proud of everything we're doing as far as fundraising and raising awareness."

Chris Koegel of Merrick finished with a flurry and was able to win the Minds Over Matter 5K in a time of 17:44.

For the first time in its history, the race was run without Minds Over Matter founder Bob Conneely, a longtime brain tumor survivor who passed away in January. Conneely founded the MOM running team, a six-person group that debuted at the 2001 New York City Marathon. In honor of his passing Grey "Bob-O" wristbands were worn by runners and the race tee-shirts included the "running brain," a design created by Conneely for the running group.

Southampton's Imeldo Morales shrugged off the rain and took second behind race winner Chris Koegel.

"He fought this horrific disease for 25 years and never gave up hope," Kosinski said of Conneely, later stating she was honored to have his children on hand. "What was most magnificent about him was he was just an angel for everybody else. He was so hopeful. You never heard him complain; it didn't matter how bad his life was at the moment. He always found the good in people and was such a leader for all different patients with any disease, not even just brain tumors. He's really going to be missed."

Eric Bramoff, the annual man in disguise designated as "The Man To Beat," dressed as Darth Vader this year.

Between the 5K and the foundation's golf tournament at Noyac Golf Club on Sept. 22, Kosinski hoped to raise $25,000 to be dedicated to brain tumor research and services, a sum substantially less than previous fundraising efforts due to the economic strain most are experiencing.

The foundation has been able to donate more than $400,000 to research centers such as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute outside Boston and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

The Race
Merrick's Chris Koegel came from behind to win with a time of 17 minutes, 44 seconds. Southampton residents took the next two spots with Imeldo Morales (17:58) and Jason Hancock (18:10). Mike Bahel of Amagansett posted a time of 19:15 to finish fourth, and Chris Geackel of Lindenhurst grabbed the final spot in the top five by running a 19:26.

The women were led by Shelter Island native Lauren Laviola, whose time of 20:24 put her more than a minute clear of her nearest competitors, Sharon Zuhoski (21:34), East Hampton grad Laura Byrnes (21:34) and Amy Contant (21:35). Mary Beth Dee was fifth in the female category, running a 22:19.

Although enrollment topped 500 last year, the inclement weather limited it to about 250 participants last weekend.

Local runners who took home first place in their age groups were: Stephen Early (male under-19; 20:02), KeriAnn Fitzpatrick (female under-19; 23:31), Paul Stoutenburgh (male 20-24; 21:24), Danielle Beck (female 20-24; 27:22), Kat Piekarski (female 25-29; 22:59), Dave Riley (male 30-34; 21:32), Jill Robins (female 30-34; 22:35), Jorge Flores (male 35-39; 19:31), Bahel (male 40-44), Faith Diskin (female 40-44; 30:29), Eric Jungck (male 45-49; 20:19), Sharon McCobb (female 45-49; 23:08), Meg Rudansky (female 50-54; 39:45), Jeffrey Yennie (male 60-64; 21:01), Pam McDonald (female 60-64; 32:10), Linda Schiavoni (female 65-69; 51:17) and Porter Bibb (male 70-74; 35:10).