An attack on Manhattan had a chilling effect on a Bay Ridge tradition.
Fewer people came out to the 28th annual Chris Hoban Run in Bay Ridge on Sunday, because the explosion that rocked lower-Manhattan the night before kept many participants at home, a runner said.
“This year wasn’t that many people,” said Park Sloper Angel Confesor, who finished first among the men, clocking in at 28:41. “I think people were afraid to come out because of what happened in Manhattan.”
Around 500 runners assemble most years, but the tally on Sunday was just more than 380, race results show.
The five-mile dash memorializes Police Officer Chris Hoban, who died in the line of duty at just 26 years old in 1988. The race also supports a scholarship fund for children of police officers attending Xaverian High School, a cause that athletes are happy to burn sneaker rubber for, another athlete said.
“It’s running for a good cause,” said Queens resident Sabrina Chin who led the pack in the ladies’ race and finished in 34:38. “Anything we can do to show our support for the NYPD and a great community school.”
The run kicked off at the American Veterans Memorial Pier off of 69th Street, snaked up along the waterfront, and looped back to Xaverian High School on Shore Road between 71 Street and Mackay Place, where Hoban graduated in 1980.
Die-hard runners such as Confesor and Chin came out — despite the bombing the night before — and made the most of the day.
A post-race barbecue party included rides, raffles, and music by the aptly named Head Over Heels.
