Long Beach Fun Run pays tribute to the late Larry Elovich

About 100 people gathered on the boardwalk on Aug. 3 to honor the man remembered as “Mr. Long Beach” at the seventh annual Larry Elovich 5K Memorial Fun Run and Walk.

The event is hosted each year by the Larry Elovich Scholarship Fund in cooperation with the city and Recreation Department.

Elovich, an accomplished attorney who served as Long Beach Democratic Committee chairman and president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, died in 2012 at age 77.

The race was attended by members of Elovich’s family, close friends and elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Peter King, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato, former Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and State Sen. Todd Kaminsky.

“It was a really nice memorial to honor my dad’s memory,” said Elovich’s daughter, Lisa. “All of his friends and the local, state and national representatives ... they come every year and I feel that would make my dad very happy that they’re still honoring his memory, including the city and recreation department.”

Elovich is remembered as a venerated political advisor who was able to reach out to Democrats and Republicans alike. Lisa attributes her father’s success at crossing party lines to his humor, integrity and charisma. He cared deeply for his neighbors in Long Beach and, as a former chamber president, the town mattered to him greatly, Lisa said.

Lisa remembered her father as someone who always made family a top priority, even while building his law practice and doing charitable work. Elovich’s children launched the scholarship fund and race in his name shortly after his death to honor his tradition as an avid 5K participant.

The race is held at New York Avenue, where Elovich and his wife, Helen, lived in a studio apartment near the beach after they married.

Each year, the scholarship fund that bears his name honors college-bound seniors from Long Beach High School at an awards ceremony in June. This year’s race raised nearly $4,000 for the scholarship fund, which honors students who exhibit athletic and academic skills as well as a strong sense of the Long Beach community.

This year, scholarships were presented to Long Beach High School graduates Jake Ignatow, Kieran Rowley, Dylan Martinsen and Fiona Eramo.

“This year, my dad’s grandson MJ Eisenberg, gave them out, and he actually knew some of the recipients from lacrosse and wrestling,” Lisa said. “We’re not looking necessarily for a valedictorian but someone who gives a lot of attention to their academics and who is well rounded, with a strong sense of community, as well as the physical fitness aspect of it because that really emulates my dad and all of the things he believed in.”