The Shana Kay Memorial Track at Burr Intermediate School hosted the first annual Mini-Marathon, with Randy and Jane Kay – parents of Shana Kay –commemorating the event on Wednesday morning. 

The foundation donates scholarships, scoreboards, tracks and other items to schools Shana attended during her life in Commack. According to Randy Kay, Shana passed away in 2005 at age 19 after contracting encephalitis at camp her freshman year of college. Jeff Spiegel, family friend, created the foundation in Shana's honor to allow her parents to keep her memory alive. 

"The track was donated to Burr a few years ago and the school contacted us because they were using it to mark out their first mini-marathon. We always like to speak about Shana so we were happy to come to the event," Kay said. 

The Mini-Marathon also served as a fundraiser for juvenile diabetes. High school students on the track team, also donated their time to help the third, fourth and fifth grade students make their way around the mile-long track created for the event. 

Parents gathered on the field behind the school to watch their children cross the finish line.

"It is a great event, helps keep kids active. My daughter, Jenna, couldn't wait to get out and run this morning," Mike Giardina said. 

Robert Elferis brought his toddler to the event to watch his third-grader run the track. 

"It is a great event, in honor of Shana Kay, and it teaches kids to be healthy," he said. 

Tricia Ferraro and her husband watched their daughter, Rachel, cross the finish line and said that they enjoy the community aspect of the event. 

Ferraro said she is happy that the school is starting events for these causes in the intermediate school, with younger children.  

Have photos from the event to share? E-mail victoria@patch.com.