The December 18 meeting of the Greater Long Island Running Club served as the club annual Awards Night for 2007, highlighted by a number of very special people receiving awards in recognition of their athletic accomplishments and in recognition of their service to the club and to the Long Island running community.

The meeting was held in the auditorium of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library.

The overall club champions for 2008 were Michael Robles and Karen Cotty. (Michael had been the club's Bronze Medalist in 2006) and Karen was the Silver Medalist in 2005 and 2006) and the overall women's champion in 2005). Tim Murphy and Kathy Martin earned the Silver Medal Club Championship Awards, and Noni Accetturi and Franklin Diaz scored with the Bronze Medal Club Championship Awards.

The 2007 Mary Anne von der Heydt Memorial Service Awards went to several folks with a long history of involvement with the club and with the Long Island running community: Myron Bellovin, Paul Fetscher, Bill Gironda, Amy Goldstein, Alice Long and Steven Toto.

The Age Group Champions for 2007 were Ryan Fitzpatrick, Sandy Cuomo, Lisa Bonnani (2 in a row!), Jonathan Cuomo (4 in a row!), Cassie Papandrew, Theresa Lemaitre, Pavla O'Rourke (3 in a row!), Brian Morreale, Kelly Perno, Steven Toto, Robis DeGirmenci, Mary Frances Horan, Eric Friedman, Susan Murray, Paul Bonnani, Debbie Blair, Jon Wallach, Dolores Doman (2 in a row!), Kevin Kremler, Judi Gallop, Dan Badalament, Helma Clavin, Domenick Potenza, Joan Ackerman, George Devoe (2 in a row!), Ruth Maller (2 in a row!), Howard Kestenbaum, Vera Allen, Steven Cuomo (2 in a row!), Bert Jablon, and Bill Benson (4 in a row!). That's an incredible EIGHT years in a row for Bert Jablon!

The Clydesdale Champions for 2005 were Rick Secor, repeat winner Mary Jane Cody, three-peat winner Bill Heidenreich, and four-peat champion Paula MacCulloch.

The Racewalk Champions for 2007 were Lee Jacob and Michelle Ackerman. The Wheelchair Champion was Jesse Walsh.

The very important "Most Improved" Awards for 2007 were presented to Kevin Beach, Fred von der Heydt, Katherine Cimonetti and Patricia Bush.

The Gladys Simonsen Memorial Award, presented annually to the club's most improved Masters runner, went to Kitty Anderson, "in the spirit of Gladys, who always strived to improve."

A few of the Award winners were unable to make it to the December meeting, so everyone is invited to the club's February 19 meeting, when it is hoped that the Club will have the pleasure of presenting their awards to them!

A special "thank you" to Joan Ackerman, Michelle Ackerman, Susan Kaye and Howard Cragg, who put together an outstanding collation for the meeting.