Pair of Locals Sleigh Competition in Holiday Run

Others Dress Up in Xmas Spirit for Charity Event

Mike Anderson and John Del Maestro, both residents of Woodbury, led a strong contingent of local athletes among a record-breaking field of 1,238 runners and walkers who crossed the finish line of the 10th Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5 Kilometer Run, held on the roads of Bethpage on Saturday morning, Dec. 20.

MIKE ANDERSON of Woodbury (#21) crosses the finish line in second place overall and first in the 25-29 age group.

The 26-year-old Anderson finished in second place overall and first in the 25-29 age group with a time of 15:05 and the 42-year-old Del Maestro was 14th overall across the finish line, taking first place honors in the 40-44 age group with a time of 16:57. Another local resident, Bert Jablon of Syosset, took second place in the 70-74 age group in 24:51.

Other local residents successfully completing the run included Ilan Hausner of Jericho (18:59), Jonathan (Landsman of Woodbury (21:16), Mark Janiak of Syosset (21:27), Earl Hahn of Syosset (21:50), Martin Feinstein of Jericho (22:09), Glen Wolther of Jericho (22:24), Scott Rubin of Woodbury (22:48), Frank Bullaro of Syosset (23:00), Chris Kutner of Syosset (23:21), Jeffrey Rosen of Syosset (24:42), Walt Cole of Jericho (25:54), Laura Kutner of Syosset (26:41), Julie Kutner of Syosset (26:47), Andrea Dupont of Syosset (26:56), Joseph Albanese of Woodbury (27:32), William Braunstein of Syosset (27:52), Michael McNamara of Syosset (28:28), Jim Mahony of Syosset (29:19), Alan Friedman of Syosset (29:25), Joan Ackerman of Syosset (29:51), Lauren Smith of Syosset (31:45), Stacy Smith of Syosset (31:47) Barbara Panzer of Syosset (32:23), Peter Fortunato of Syosset (36:04), Bill Ma of Syosset (36:10), Lenore Braunstein of Syosset (39:03), Josephine Mastanduno of Syosset (39:10), and Herb Grayson of Syosset (41:50).

However, the real story of the day was not the speedsters in the front of the pack, but the record number of fun runners in the middle and back of the pack who came to Bethpage to help the host, Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club, celebrate the holiday season with gusto. Many were in costume, including elves, reindeer, Santas, three "wise women," toy soldiers, a couple of Christmas trees and even a fireplace! Many brought their youngsters for the 1/4-mile "fun run" that preceded the main event. Virtually all were there for a morning of festive fun and fitness that added a perfect touch to the local holiday season.

For the second year in a row, the Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run was sponsored by Frontier, and a large contingent of runners from Frontier were there to participate in the run.

The Town of Oyster Bay was, as usual, quite supportive. Town Councilman Len Symons, who is a member of the Road Runners Club, completed the 3.1 mile course, and newly-elected Town Supervisor John Venditto was on hand to welcome the runners across the finish line. The run was, once again, administered by the Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club, with POBRRC's Ed Kovesdy serving as the race director.

Proceeds of the Run were dedicated to the ASPIRE Program for the rehabilitation of young amputees and the Bretton Bowl Fund established by the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce to help needy local families in the holiday season.

"Hey, what a great day!" enthused Kovesdy. "The weather was perfect, the turnout was wonderful and the Bethpage community is a friendly place to hold an event of this kind. Thanks to all our friends from Woodbury, Syosset and Jericho and to everyone who showed up this morning."