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VetsBuild team members Fabrizio Bustos, left, and Nick Auletta.

The 3rd annual Paddle Battle was held along the Peconic Riverfront in Riverhead on Saturday.

The event raised money for three not-for-profit organizations: the United Way of Long Island’s VetsBuild Program supporting Veterans and Military Families, the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation and the East End Tourism Alliance.

The day included a 2.5-mile amateur race, a 5-mile competitive race, and a 12-mile elite class race. First place medals were offered to winners in each category, for each class and distance.

The races were stopped for about half an hour as a heavy downpour with lightning passed through, but continued as soon as the weather cleared up.

Because some of the racers were pulled out of the race during the storm, results are anticipated to be slightly delayed.

Races results should be available here.

John Lonigro of West Islip.
John Lonigro of West Islip.
A young contestant approaches the finish line.
A young contestant approaches the finish line.
The veterans of the VetsBuild team. From left: Army veteran Fabrizio Bustos, Air Force veteran Ed Miller, Army veteran Nick Auletta and Marine veteran Ricky Planchana.
The veterans of the VetsBuild team. From left: Army veteran Fabrizio Bustos, Air Force veteran Ed Miller, Army veteran Nick Auletta and Marine veteran Ricky Planchana.
Kayakers organize themselves for the start of the race.
Kayakers organize themselves for the start of the race.
A young contestant crosses the finish line.
A young contestant crosses the finish line.
Volunteers from the Riverhead Foundation.
Volunteers from the Riverhead Foundation.
Casey Sheridan, age 10, and dad Albert cross the finish line after kayaking 2.5 miles.
Casey Sheridan, age 10, and dad Albert cross the finish line after kayaking 2.5 miles.
The race begins.
The race begins.
Stand up paddlers begin a race.
Stand up paddlers begin a race.
Bill Sweeny completes his second race of the day. He won both.
Bill Sweeny completes his second race of the day. He won both.
T.J. Mikolich of Team Pepsi.
T.J. Mikolich of Team Pepsi.
A contestant kneels on his board after completing a stand up paddle run.
A contestant kneels on his board after completing a stand up paddle run.
The official t-shirt.
The official t-shirt.
A paddler is led to the finish line accompanied by a safety team member.
A paddler is led to the finish line accompanied by a safety team member.
A kayak is towed back to shore after a malfunction.
A kayak is towed back to shore after a malfunction.
Team Riverhead Building Supply.
Team Riverhead Building Supply.
Youngsters compete in the kids sprint.
Youngsters compete in the kids sprint.
A trophy.
A trophy.
Bob Capellini of Baldwin takes first place for the 12-mile race. He also won last year.  With him is announcer and East End Tourism Alliance president  Bryan DeLuca of Patchogue.
Bob Capellini of Baldwin takes first place for the 12-mile race. He also won last year. With him is announcer and East End Tourism Alliance president Bryan DeLuca of Patchogue.
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