LI Marathon vignettes: Peter Hawkins wins wheelchair race

Peter Hawkins, Malverne, 53

Peter Hawkins’ inspirational journey returned to a familiar location Sunday morning

The Malverne resident completed what he said was either his 25th or 26th marathon in 2 hours, 11.11 minutes, the best finish for a traditional wheelchair athlete.

“You just make up your mind and go for it,” said Hawkins, who was paralyzed from just above the waist in a car accident in 1981. The former high school football player turned to wheelchair racing after the accident and has participated in races around the world.

“I compete and I go out there, not because I’m in a wheelchair, but just because I’m a competitive person and I enjoy being out there,” Hawkins said. “And this is my local marathon so I love coming back every year . . . It’s a great race with great people.”

Hawkins also said the weather and course conditions were ideal.

“We had the best weather I can remember. There was very little wind, the temperature was perfect and no rain,” he said. “I have to thank whoever is responsible for paving the Wantagh Parkway because it was awesome.”

Peter Gagliardo, Tenafly, New Jersey, 33

Hand-crank racing has become an increasingly big part of Peter Gagliardo’s life and his results reflect this.

Gagliardo, who races in a hand crank, had the top finish in the marathon for a handicapped athlete on Sunday. He said it was his 35th marathon overall and third Long Island Marathon.

“I’ve been racing for the past eight or nine years, but I’ve really gotten into it for the last three,” said Gagliardo, who suffered a spinal injury in 2006 and uses a wheelchair when he is not racing.

A hand crank is a three-wheeled device that allows athletes to use their hands to pedal.

Mejia is certainly happy now. Since the 2016 L.I. Marathon, when Mejia ran a 2:44:30, he said he has set new personal records every time he’s competed. This included a 2:42:45 in the most recent New York City Marathon.

He’s also been motivated by his son and daughter, who both ran the mile on Saturday. “I want to set an example,” he said.

“I see her training and pushing herself. I want to do the same,” he said of his daughter. “My son doesn’t like running as much, but he did the mile with my daughter and they both did excellent. They’re the inspiration for me.”