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More than 175 runners and walkers headed north on Flying Point Road to start the 6.2 mile trek through Southampton. Photos by Brett Mauser

Southampton - For four years, the Flying Point 10K for Autism Awareness has brought the developmental disorder to the forefront, raising tens of thousands of dollars for those affected by it. Even with the progress that has been made, more must still be done, said race organizer Kim Covell, and the community has joined in to support the cause.

Franklin Diaz of Farmingdale was first across the line with a time of 36 minutes, 50 seconds.

More than 175 people turned up at Flying Point Beach in Southampton and the first to make his way back south toward the beach was Farmingdale's Franklin Diaz. The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native had worked the late-night shift - 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. - at a local restaurant, caught a smidge of shut-eye and then drove east to Southampton where he managed to hold off Southampton High star Nick Collazos by 13 seconds to win the 6.2 mile race.

Diaz, who posted a time of 36 minutes, 50 seconds, said he passed Wil Widman for the lead at the two-mile mark and maintained it. The 25-year-old called the course "flat" and went on to call it a "good race," one that started at Flying Point Beach, took the group north along Mecox Bay and toured the streets around Pleasant Pond before heading back toward the shore.

According to the Autism Society of America, 1 in 150 American children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders - including Asperger Syndrome, Rett Disease and other related conditions - and that caring for an autistic child ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million over his or her lifetime. The Society also estimates that the United States spends nearly $90 billion for autism every year.

"Children diagnosed with autism and those with significant needs are going to need support for the rest of their lives," said Covell, whose son Dylan was diagnosed with autism at age 3. "That's going to have an impact in the future on everybody. I'm really happy to see that people are much more accepting and becoming more understanding of children with autism, but there's still work to be done."

Collazos (37:03) made a late push to make it interesting at the end but Diaz's hold on first proved to be safe. Nevertheless, Collazos shattered his 2008 time of 42:37, which left him in 24th place overall. Widman finished third in 37:53, with Kevin Carroll of Huntington Station taking fourth (38:31) and East Hampton's Jorge Flores fifth (39:00).

Nick Collazos, a junior at Southampton High, improved his time from the previous year by more than five minutes.

Westhampton's Laura Brown coasted to first in the women's division with a time of 40:04. It was just under two minutes faster than second place Karen Cotty Amato of East Quogue (41:57). Southampton's Lauren Laviola was third (43:16), beating out Gena Hatcher (45:15) and Dolores Doman (45:43). Brown's time was good for 11th overall. Altogether, 182 runners and walkers completed the race, which is about on par with the turnout for the first three installments.

Since the first mass of participants set off for the first race three years ago, Covell said that more than $50,000 has been raised for autism awareness. Proceeds from this year's competition went toward the Flying Point Foundation for Autism, which Covell founded in 2008. The organization's mission is to provide programs and services for children and families affected by autism. Earlier this year, The Foundation raised nearly $4,000 at the RPM Ride Inside, an indoor cycling marathon consisting of four hour-long classes held at Sag Harbor Gym. The Southampton Town Kiwanis Club also held its annual golf outing on the foundation's behalf, generating more than $12,000 in funds. The past three years, the 10K had benefited the Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, which opened at Stony Brook University in 2001 and earmarked funds for East End services.

Covell expressed her thanks for the race's sponsors, among which are Whitmore's Landscape Service of East Hampton and Southampton-based Maran Corporate Risk Associates. "They have been supporters from the beginning," Covell said. "I'm very grateful to everybody who supports us."

Making up the backbone of the effort on raceday are the volunteers, including community parents, their children, students from Southampton High, and more. As a frequent spectator at road races, Covell also makes a point to provide activities to energize those in attendance; this year, kids bounced around the Tumblebus, a gym on wheels equipped with slides and plushy apparatuses.

Finishers were greeted with a warm reception as they made their final strides toward Flying Point Beach.