RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): On Sunday, April 27th, 2014-after weeks of anticipation and virally growing interest-a first-of-itskind race took place at the beautiful Forest Park. Crowds arrived from across the tristate area for a day of competition, community, faith, and fun. The Vaisakhi 5K Run drew more than 500 participants of all backgrounds and levels of fitness.
Runners aged 14 through 76 ran their own victory laps from a track aptly called Victory Field. Outfitted with the official golden-colored race t-shirt, runners lit up the park with their enthusiasm and positive mood. Prabhnoor Singh Badesha (BIB# 860) was the first-place male winner, and Jasvinder Kaur Vraich (BIB# 931) was the first place female winner.
Male: 2nd place, Navdeep Bains (BIB# 860)
Male: 3rd place, Manipal Singh (BIB# 289)
Female: 2nd place, Sukhzinder Braich (BIB# 929)
Female: 3rd place, Gabriela Sanchez (BIB# 38)
The race was organized by a long-time marathoner Dr. Avtar Singh Tinna and India Association of Long Island President Satnam Singh Parhar in association with The Sikh Cultural Society. Vaisakhi 5K, Inc., the organizing committee for the event, was staffed with the finest officials and volunteers. Many proud sponsors and media partners served to make the event all the more complete. Since 1991, Dr. Tinna has been a regular in the 26.2-mile New York City Marathon and a number of other running events across the United States.
Donning his signature t-shirt labeled “Proud to be a Sikh,” he runs with his saffron (kesri) turban, attracting an enormous crowd of spectators as he treks through his many races. This year, Dr. Tinna’s objective was to get others to run. The Vaisakhi 5K was successful in what Dr. Tinna sees as a tradition in the making-a tradition promoting athleticism, fitness, and sport.
“What better way,” says Dr. Tinna, “than to get the community together and get fit as one?” Dr. Tinna, a dentist by profession, maintains a practice in Queens, New York City. He was born in Punjab, India in the village of Seh Jhangi, Jalandhar. Having studied at DAV College in Jalandhar and graduating from Punjab Government Dental College and Hospital in Amritsar, Dr. Tinna moved to New York in 1980.
He lives there today with his wife and four children. For more information on the Vaisakhi 5K, the organization, or any sponsorship inquiries, please feel free to contact info@vaisakhi5k.com.