Suffolk Welcomes Terry Bisogno as Suffolk Marathon Announcer

Well-Known Racing Figure to Return to Suffolk Event

On September 20, 2016—Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone welcomed race announcer Terry Bisogno to the Catholic Health Services second annual Suffolk County Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k to Support Our Veterans on Oct.30, 2016.

“Terry is an amazing announcer,” the County Executive said. “He knows everyone who is running, and keeps up a continual account about all aspects of the race, so that the crowd is well informed about everything that is going on. He’s a great addition to our event.”

The races will begin and end in the village of Patchogue.

Bisogno, of North Massapequa, served as the announcer for the Suffolk County race last year, which netted $160,000 for Suffolk County veterans services.

From the late 1980s to early 2000s, Terry completed running almost 1,000 races, including 46 marathons in 13 states. While he still runs about 10 to 12 races a year, announcing races has taken over much of his schedule. He turned to announcing in 2005 when, “I was watching the Doug Wood 8K Race in Northport and suggested to the race crew in the finish area that it would be neat to have the finishers’ names announced. I was handed a microphone.”

His announcing work has continued to expand every year.

In over ten years of announcing races, he’s called close to 600 events. During the last three years he’s been averaging over 75 annually.  A number or runners and race directors have labeled him “The Voice of LI Running & Racing”. While most of his races have been on Long Island, he has also announced marathons, halves and 5K’s in Texas, Pennsylvania and New York City, multiple police and fire runs in New York City and corporate runs in Westchester and Rockland Counties, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland.

Bisogno credits his good sense of recall for his knowledge about runners and doing his homework in advance of the race, where he studies registration lists and uses his collection of five years of detailed paper results, awards and other notes about every race he’s announced.

As a multi-distance runner himself, Bisogno says he loves the running community and the multiple rewards he and all runners continue to gain from it. And he welcomes the crowds’ enthusiasm while attempting to heighten their excitement and enjoyment through his announcing.

“The best part of announcing is being part of the event team and assisting putting on a professional, well-managed, exciting AND fun competition,” Bisogno said. He takes pride in being of service to his race directors, the race crew and all the participants in the race and relishes the opportunity to enhance their finish line and their event experiences.  He said his excitement continues to grow daily toward announcing at the Second Annual Suffolk County Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k.

“Terry is a priceless resource for the Long Island running community,” said Mike Polansky, president of the Greater Long Island Running Club, which is managing the Suffolk County Marathon. “He is our voice, a constant source of inspiration at the finish line of our races, and an amazing source of knowledge as to the accomplishments of Long Island runners.”

The Oct. 30 races will be followed by the Taste of Long Island festival, which features Long Island foods, wines and craft beers. Bands, Halloween-themed events and other activities are also planned.

While net proceeds of the race benefit veterans services, numerous teams are also running to raise funds for their own causes, such as scholarships,  MADD, a nursing scholarship, and Rolling Thunder, a team of special-needs athletes.

Announcer Terry Bisogno with Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone