Correcting an omission to our Outstanding Citizens

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2024 at 9:15 am

Brett Sobieraski inspired many by running 1,300 miles in 50 days in honor of slain Rochester PD officer

Provided photos: Brett Sobieraski, a Carlton resident, is shown on June 4 entering New York State, the eighth and final state of a 1,300-mile journey on foot.

Orleans Hub each year recognizes outstanding citizens who inspired the community, and worked selflessly for others or to move a difficult project forward.

We posted our list on Jan. 1, recognizing eight people for their efforts in 2023. We should have had nine in the list of extraordinary people.

I forgot about Brett Sobieraski. Brett does mighty feats frequently. In 2015, he swam 32 miles across Lake Ontario for a charity that helps support the surviving spouses and children of fallen soldiers. In 2018, he ran over 175 miles for 50 hours nonstop to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.

Sobieraski is a retired Rochester police sergeant who lives in Kent. He ran for Orleans County sheriff in 2019, and was edged by Chris Bourke.

In 2023, Sobieraski announced he would be running a marathon every day for 48 days, traveling on foot from Florida and Rochester, going 26.2 miles a day. He would run the marathons to honor the memory of Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz. He was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. Sobieraski also sought to raise $100,000 for Mazurkiewicz’s family.

That goal was expanded to 50 marathons in 50 days, and Sobieraski would raise $110,000 for the family.

The journey began April 23 in Palatka, Florida and ended June 11 in Rochester. Sobieraski added two marathons near the end. He was allowing two rest days but added more when he was feeling strong and the mission had such a following as he passed through communities and reporters picked up the story.

Tony Mazurkiewicz

One of his extra days was June 10. He ran from his house in Carlton to Albion, and then ran the Albion Strawberry Festival 5K, and then ran back home. He wanted Orleans County to be part of the epic adventure.

The “8 States for Maz” marathon mission was featured by the Today show in a moving feature about the loss of a fallen police officer and the impact on Mazurkiewicz’s family.

Sobieraski said he felt like the community too quickly moved on after the death of Mazurkiewicz. Sobieraski said he wanted the officer’s family to feel love and respect from the community, and know Maz’s life of service is deeply appreciated. The response was far more than Sobieraski could have imagined. In the last 5K of the final marathon, 850 people joined him.

Sobieraski announced the plan to run the marathons on Facebook and posted short videos of each the day’s journey. He started April 23 in Palatka, Florida and finished June 11 in Rochester. When Sobieraski announced the 8 States for Maz, it seemed preposterous to me. Sobieraski is 56 years old. I didn’t see how the mind or body could take such a beating.

But Sobieraski shocked me. He ran fast, too. His times got faster, consistently around 4 hours. He pushed through pain in the feet, shins and hips.

Sobieraski said he met many inspiring people along the way, and their kind words and hospitality kept him energized. He is writing a book about the “8 States for Maz,” which he said was a humanity tour. He wants to share highlights from the journey, and honor the memory of Maz.

“I met so many amazing people,” Sobieraski said. “I saw too many great people and saw great things not to tell the world all about it.”

Brett Sobieraski, right, is joined by his son Zachary on June 11 when Sobieraski ran the last stretch of his 50th marathon and 50 days.

Sobieraski spent much of the trip as a lone solitary figure, running along the side of a road, often carrying an American flag. He took a chance in committing to such a demanding goal, including sections that were up mountains.

In the end, he brought together the community, and honored Mazurkiewicz, a Rochester PD veteran who was shot in the upper body on Bauman Street. He worked in RPD’s Tactical Unit 8. He investigated many of the city’s toughest cases. Sobieraski said Maz was deeply respected in the RPD. Sobieraski picked eight states to run with the eight in recognition of Maz’s tactical unit number.

“We need to pay attention when cops are murdered,” Sobieraski said. “These are our people, and their families are suffering.”

The Orleans Hub is planning an awards celebration for the outstanding citizens in April. Click here to see the other outstanding citizens from 2023.