Nearly 500 local runners were on hand at Eisenhower Park on June 7, for the 10th annual edition of the David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation Run - the Long Island running community's way of saying, "Thank you" to the outstanding men and women of our local police forces in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Suffolk County Police Officer Kevin Krause reprised his 1999 win in the Police Appreciation Run by charging past Leonardo Chalco of Flushing at the two-mile mark to take top honors in 15:23. Debbie Cuttitta of Bellmore, who also took top women's honors in 1999, was the first female finisher this year in 18:46.

Peter Hawkins of Malverne, took top honors in the Wheelchair Division in 14:04, following up his victory in this year's Canon Long Island Marathon.

Will Hansler of Massapequa outkicked Mark Spottiswood of Bohemia for top honors in the Law Enforcement Division, and Ruth Joyce of Massapequa beat out fellow Massapequan Theresa Shortell for first place in the Women's Law Enforcement Division.

Top local finishers included Jack Brolly of Plainview, who took top honors in the 20-24 age group in 19:11, followed immediately by Ken Ong of Bethpage, who was second in the 40-44 age group in 19:13. Other local award winners were David Frankel of Woodbury, second in the 14 and under age group; Bert Jablon of Syosset, who was the top finisher in the 70-74 age group; and Ruth Sturgess of Jericho, who scored first among the women in the 65-69 age group.

But the real story of the day was the outpouring of support from Long Island runners for the Long Island Police Crisis Fund that helps local police officers and their families in times of personal financial emergency. The entire net proceeds of the run go to this most important fund, and it was gratifying to see so many local runners out to say, "Thank you" for all the fine work done by "Long Island's Finest."

The Police Run was once again sponsored by the Long Island investment firm of David Lerner Associates ("the Asset Builders"), and conducted by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with GLIRC's Ira Eskow, a resident of Woodbury, once again serving as the race director. David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians was the technical director once again, with scoring by the ChampionChip.

"In a day and age when 'cop bashing' has become all too fashionable, it is extremely significant that so many Long Islanders turned out to show their support for the outstanding men and women who make up our local plice forces," observed race director Ira Eskow. "The police always go that extra mile for Long Island, so we are happy to go 5 kilometers to support them!"

Everyone is invited to mark their calendars for the 11th annual David Lerner Associates Police Appreciation Run, which will be held in Eisenhower Park on Thursday evening, June 6, 2002.