Applications are now being accepted for Long Island's most unusual and exciting running event, the 14th annual Nationwide Insurance Ocean to Sound 50 Mile Relay, to be held on Sunday, Sept. 26.

The relay is an annual September tradition on Long Island, with 150 teams of eight runners each traversing a 50-mile course that starts at 8 a.m. at Jones Beach State Park. The course heads north and east through Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa, Farmingdale and Old Bethpage before crossing into Huntington, hitting the Long Island Sound at Lloyd Harbor, returning to Nassau County via Cold Spring Harbor and Syosset, and then heading south to a dramatic finish on the grounds of Bethpage State Park. Each runner on the team covers a leg of between five and seven miles.

The relay is part of the KeySpan Energy Grand Prix Series of long distance races conducted under the auspices of Long Island Track & Field.

Awards will go to the top three male, female and coed open and masters teams, senior teams, law enforcement teams, corporate teams and physically-challenged teams.

But awards aren't the real attraction for most runners who will be competing for the fun of it, to enjoy a great day on the beautiful roads of Long Island, and to be there for the best post-race party in the Northeast at the Clubhouse at Bethpage State Park.

The entry fee is only $300 per team ($37.50 per runner) through Sept. 3, which covers entry into the race, a special commemorative shirt for each runner, and entry into the post-race party. The entry fee goes up to $320 per team after Sept. 3, so early entries recommended.

The entire net proceeds of the relay will once again be turned over to ASPIRE, the special program that provides prosthetic devices, intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation to young amputees, most of whom have endured the tragedy of losing a leg to bone cancer or traumatic amputations.

The relay is made possible by the generosity of Nationwide Insurance, specifically the Wiszowaty Agency of Lynbrook and new sponsor Speedo Authentic Fitness.

The relay is conducted under the auspices of the Greater Long Island Running Club, with GLIRC's Alan End serving as the relay director. Technical assistance is provided by David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians, with leg-by-leg scoring by the ChampionChip System.

"Every local runner is most cordially invited to join us for the best single day of running on Long Island," stated Relay Director Alan End. "The relay is a great venue for team spirit, a terrific sense of camaraderie and a unique opportunity for runners to get a real sense of the scenic beauties and diversity of Long Island."

For entry forms or information, call the Running Club at 349-7646.