The first annual Lovenox Five Mile Race for Cardiac Wellness was held in Hicksville's Cantiague Park on Oct. 31, and a large contingent of runners from Westbury did themselves very proud.

Three local finishers came home with age group awards. Seventeen-year-old Keith Wilkins of Jericho took third-place honors in the 15-19 age group with a time of 40 minutes, 44 seconds. The seemingly ageless Bert Jablon, 72-years-young, finished in 2nd place in the 70-74 age group with a time of 42:14. Joan Ackerman captured third-place honors in the Women's 55-59 age group with a time of 49:39.

Other local finishers in the Lovenox 5 Mile Race included Kark Janiak of Syosset (31:26), Gary Strauss of Jericho (32:44), Shelly Cohen of Woodbury (34:54), Scott Rubin of Woodbury (36:30), Martin Feinstein of Syosset (37:16), Scott Walley of Syosset (40:49). Linna Tang of Syosset (43:46), Michael McNamara of Syosset (47:20), Michael Aronin of Syosset (48:30), Lorraine Pavlakis of Syosset (54:57), Shomon Ziv of Syosset (56:38). There were a total of 369 finishers overall.

The Lovenox Five Mile Race was sponsored by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the makers of Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) injection. Rhone-Poulenc Rorer is donating the entire net proceeds of the Race to the American Heart Association.

"We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response of the Long Island running community to the Lovenox Five Mile Race for Cardiac Wellness," observed Rhone-Poulenc Rorer spokesperson Christine J. Rice. "Our organization has been a national sponsor for the American Heart Association and we are looking to strengthen our commitment to include more emphasis on a community-based level. We are confident that this race will help us all take strides toward the major goal of cardiac wellness, and we offer our sincere congratulations and thanks to all our friends from Syosset and Jericho who were a part of this most important event."

The Lovenox Race was part of the 1999 KeySpan Grand Prix of Long Island Long Distance Running, administered by Long Island Track & Field. In honor of the occasion, KeySpan presented the American Heart Association with a check for $1,000.

The race was managed by the Greater Long Island Running Club under the direction of Club President Mike Polansky. Technical direction was provided by David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians. Scoring was by the new "ChampionChip System."

Among those distinguished guests who were on hand to present the awards to the runners and walkers were Dr. Stanley Katz, chairman of the Division of Cardiology at North Shore University Hospital; Dr. Andrew E. Sama, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at North Shore University Hospital; and New York State Assemblyman Mark Herbst. Dr. Katz went a long way for the American Heart Association. Above and beyond his involvement in presenting the awards, he also participated in the race itself, finishing the five miles in an excellent time of 43:14. Oyster Bay Town Councilman Leonard B. Symons was also a participant in the race, crossing the finish line in a creditable 46:42.