The 18th annual Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run, held on the roads of Bethpage on December 17, was a tremendous success, and was a big day for lots of athletes from the local area.

Top local finisher was 24-year-old Richard Cafiero of Syosset, in 28th place overall and 2nd in the 20-24 age group, with a time of 19 minutes, 22 seconds.

Other local award winners included Kim Solomine of Syosset, who finished 2nd among the women in the 45-49 age group, Ruth Sturgess of Jericho, 2nd woman in the 70-74 age group, Celeste Harkins of Plainview, 3rd woman to score in the 70-74 age group, Bert Jablon of Syosset, who earned first place honors in the 75-79 age group, Odd Sangesland of Plainview, 3rd place awardee in the 70-74 age group, and George Dennis of Muttontown, second in the 80 and over age group.

There were nearly a thousand finishers in the 5K Run and nearly a hundred youngsters in the 1/4 Mile Fun Run that preceded the main event. The net result is that several local charities, including the "Bretton Bowl" fund for needy Bethpage families, the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, and the Tender Loving Care Foundation for premature infants, will each receive substantial contributions. In addition, the generous toy donations by the participants will allow many disadvantaged children to have a more festive holiday through the events's partnership with Mercy First.

Special thanks to the event's title sponsor Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP, and to presenting sponsor Retail, Wholesale & Chain Store Food Employees Union, Local 338, for their generous contributions. Without sponsors it would be impossible to produce a race with this many participants and to maintain the high quality standards required to make the race a success. Also worthy of acknowedgement are Whole Foods of Manhasset, Kozy Shack Pudding, Organic Juice USA, and Shop Rite for the generous donations of fruit, puddings, juices, and soda that helped made the post-race refreshments so good, and Jet Blue, Nikon, The Runner's Edge, Quantum Feet, Ben's Deli, Goldman Brothers and South Shore Outdoor donating the door prizes that were so well recieved by the runners and walkers.

Special thanks go to Race Directors Joe Sturgess and Bob Sherman, and to all the Greater Long Island Running Club volunteers who continuously and willingly donate their time. It is these volunteers who provide the needed efforts to ensure that everyone enjoys participating in a GLIRC event.

We also thank the Bethpage School District for allowing the use of the facilities at Bethpage High School for registration and the Awards Ceremony, the 8th Precinct of the Nassau County Police, the Bethpage Auxiliary Police, and the Bethpage Fire Department Emergency Medical Team for making the course safe for everyone. Also, John Snitko of JMS Racing Services is deserving of high praise for his thoroughly professional timing job.

Last but very much not least, thanks go to the Town of Oyster Bay and its Supervisor, John Venditto. The town continues to show its enthusiastic support for running and fitness programs by both words and deeds. Thanks as well to Town Councilwomen Beth Faughnan and Rose Walker, and to New York State Senator Kemp Hannon, for being on hand on race day to support the event.