Neither wind nor rain could stop the community spirit and enthusiasm at the second annual Culper Spy 5K, organized by Earl L. Vandermeulen High School junior Sean Grossman and his grandmother, Janette Handley, to benefit the Three Village Historical Society (TVHS).

Held on September 7, the event saw an impressive turnout of 300 runners braving the downpour to celebrate local history and support educational programming. Their efforts raised $7,000, all of which will go directly toward expanding the TVHS's outreach and educational initiatives.

Sean, a dedicated student-athlete with a passion for both competitive running and Revolutionary War history, launched the inaugural race last year to combine his interests while giving back to the community. The race pays tribute to the Culper Spy Ring, a famed Revolutionary War-era intelligence network that operated in the Setauket area.

“This event represents the best of our community, resilience, teamwork, and pride in our local history,” Sean said. “I’m grateful to everyone who helped make it a success—especially in the face of such challenging weather.”

This year’s race had even more momentum thanks to support from Port Jefferson High School coaches Cosci and Snow, as well as medalist Jameson Roeber. Organizing help came from Deidre Fillipi, Jesse Rosen and members of the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Varsity Club who volunteered on race day to ensure the event ran smoothly. TVHS Executive Director Mari Irizarry praised the grassroots nature of the fundraiser, saying, “Sean and Janette have created something truly special. It’s not only a race, it’s an educational celebration that gets people of all ages engaged with our region’s rich Revolutionary past.”

With two successful years under his belt, Sean Grossman hopes the Culper Spy 5K will continue to grow, bringing more runners, more awareness, and more support for historical education in the Three Village community.

Date Added: 9/26/2025