On their mark: Northport family leads Cow Harbor starting line for three generations
Cousins Mike and Chris Pitfick holding a copy of the Northport Journal from Friday, July 27, 1979. The front page features a story about John Pitfick and the Cow Harbor race course. Photo by Olivia Allen.
The Great Cow Harbor 10K is Long Island’s largest road race, drawing elite runners from across the country to Northport each year. Serving as a major national championship race, the 10K has a longstanding history of attracting international Olympians and other global competitors.
One family has seen it all.
The Pitfick family has been part of the Cow Harbor Race since its inception in 1977, with many members running it themselves over the years. This year, cousins Chris and Mike Pitfick estimate between 15 and 20 relatives are participating in some capacity, with even the youngest of Pitficks playing a role.
Involving this latest Pitfick generation in the family tradition will hopefully foster a love for running, Chris said, while “cultivating them to take over” one day.
Chris’ father John Pitfick helped found the Northport Running Club in 1977. The group sought to organize a local large-scale race after running other 10Ks, Chris said.
The Great Cow Harbor 10 Kilometer was born.
As the race rapidly expanded to thousands of participants in the early 1980s, the mass start caused heavy congestion and safety issues on Northport's hilly streets. Inspired by Colorado’s annual BOLDERBoulder 10K, John and company crafted the blueprint for Cow Harbor’s staggered starting line, a system to release runners in timed waves, ensuring better safety and providing runners with a more accurate time.
Based on a runner’s predicted finish time, staggered starts prevent crowding and injury on narrower, residential race courses. “They wanted to keep (the race) growing, so they needed some way to meter people through” safely, Chris said.
Each wave still begins with a shotgun start, giving every runner a chance to “put their foot on the starting line,” he said. “When you have 5,000 people running … That helps people feel like they (have) their own moment.”
Heirs to the starting line: Continuing the Pitfick family tradition
For a “running family,” Cow Harbor naturally blossomed into a dedicated Pitfick tradition; one persisting even through loss.
John Pitfick died unexpectedly in 1986, just nine years after the race began. The 1987 10K was dedicated to John’s memory. His brother – Mike’s father – Eric, took over managing the starting line, taking great care to bring his brother’s vision to life.
When Eric passed away in 2009, Mike and his siblings Dave and Karen, and their cousins Chris and Matt – the next generation of Pitficks – began to carry the torch, honoring both John and Eric’s legacies. Those generations of the Pitfick family continue to volunteer and oversee the waves that start the race every September.
Now living in Tampa, Florida, Mike said the annual trip home for Cow Harbor planning – a reunion of sorts – is a highlight of his year. “I don’t get to see family all the time, and we have friends and family come from all over the place every year,” Mike said. “It brings everyone together for a good cause.”
Another Pitfick tradition: a relaxing family gathering for homemade chili the night before the 10K, courtesy of Mike’s mother.
Race day starts early, but by mid-morning the Pitfick volunteer team is free to enjoy Cow Harbor festivities together, usually trekking down Main Street to explore local vendors, enjoy tasty bites and sip on Sand City Brewing Co.’s specially crafted race day IPA.
“With thousands of runners and community members,” Chris said, “it’s such a fun event to be part of.”
Mike agrees. “Everyone comes out with a smile, you know?” he said. “Even people that may not have had a good race … and that’s something special.”
Not a runner himself, Mike knows very well the warm and welcoming atmosphere spectators feel, witnessing from the sidelines and sidewalks the energy only race day can bring.
“There are families with hoses and water, cheering for everyone, ringing cowbells,” he recalls with a smile, noting other beloved racecourse staples, like locals dressed in “cow-stumes.”
“I think it's just about the community,” Chris said. “Getting everybody out having an enjoyable time.”
Running toward race weekend
As Saturday approaches, the Pitficks are most excited about this year’s record-breaking turnout.
“It sold out this year in, like, a week,” Mike said. (This year registration opened up on March 19 and closed on March 24 – a record.) The race also adjusted its registration return process, giving the planning committee a more accurate estimate on attendees.
In the past, the 10K has experienced an absentee rate of approximately 10 to 12% each race, despite the maximum of 5,000 registrants being reached most years. “That’s the cap, and we’ve actually never gotten that number,” Chris said. “We may actually see close to 5,000 runners this year.”
As planning for next year’s 50th anniversary race gears up, this is a gleaming sign.
The Pitficks said race committees work hard to innovate and offer new experiences each year.
“We’re always talking about what we can do differently,” Mike said, even gathering feedback and suggestions from the youngest generation of Pitficks in family discussions.
Cow Harbor 2027 will feature “all kinds of new things” he added, noting a Northport Public Library exhibit dedicated to Cow Harbor memorabilia like registration t-shirts from past years, many of which were designed by Chris’ brother, Matt.
Reflecting on their family’s starting line legacy, the Pitficks hope the community continues to share in their joy by joining them in cheering on Saturday’s runners. They also encourage community members to visit the Cow Harbor website for information on how to volunteer, donate or get involved elsewhere.
Students can earn service hours for volunteering, Mike said, noting other incentives, like free food.
“It doesn’t take very much,” he said. “Just come be part of it, and bring friends.”
Old news
The 1979 article pictured in this article’s lead photo details John Pitfick’s “herculean efforts” to obtain AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) certification for the race course. “Undoubtably, Northport’s John Pitfick knows the Great Cow Harbor 10K race course better than anyone. You might say he is on intimate terms with it. Well, he ought to be,” the article reads, crediting Pitfick and fellow Northporter Jack Blydenburgh for measuring the course accurately enough to gain the accreditation:
“It is unusual for a small town race such as this to be so honored by the National AAU It is a credit to the community, the Northport Running Club and most importantly the two key men, John Pitfick and Jack Blydenberg, who provided the impetus and expertise for the project. Its successful completion can only add another special touch to a race which is fast becoming known as the ‘Quality Foot Race’ on Long Island.”
This year’s Great Cow Harbor 10K takes place this Saturday, September 19. For more information, visit the Cow Harbor website.
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