Over 700 runners successfully completed the fourth annual Kings Park 15 Kilometer Run on Sunday morning, March 25, including a strong local contingent led by 45-year-old Woodbury star John Del Maestro, who finished in 58 minutes, 38 seconds, and 44-year-old Syosset speedster Steve Gerardi, who finished in 58 minutes, 50 seconds.

Del Maestro's final sprint up Old Dock Road to the finish at the W.T. Rogers Middle School was good for 33rd place overall against what may have been the strongest field ever assembled for a Long Island road race, and earned him second place in the tough 45-49 age group. Gerardi took 36th place overall and finished in eighth place in the 40-44 age group.

Other top Syosset finishers included are Mark Janiak (1:05:45) and Glenn Rabin (1:13:12).

The Kings Park 15 Kilometer Run was deliberately designed to be the toughest of challenges, incorporating as many hills as possible into 9.3 miles, culminating with the final one-mile climb up Old Dock Road to the finish at the W.T. Rogers Middle Road. As one competitor put it, "It hurts, it really hurts, but what a sense of accomplishment and pride when you cross the finish line!"

The Kings Park 15 Kilometer Run is administered by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with GLIRC's Mary Ellen Stajk serving as the race director. The run is part of the KeySpan/Long Island Track & Field Grand Prix of Long Island Racing, and serves as Long Island Track & Field's 15 Kilometer Championship Run.

"This is the toughest of tests, and John and Steve have once again proven themselves to be real champions," observed race director Mary Ellen Stajk. "Our congratulations to John, Steve and all our other friends from Syosset-Woodbury who helped make this event a success once again."