More than a hundred teams of three runners each enjoyed a beautiful morning on the trails of Bethpage State Park in the third annual 3-runner by 2-mile Trail Relay hosted by the Greater Long Island Running Club and its Men's Racing Team on Sunday March 5. The runners were treated to a great cross country course, dozens of prizes, a special post-race buffet, and all of it was free - courtesy of the Running Club and its Men's Racing Team.

The GLIRC Men's Racing Team (Robis DiGermenci, Paul Englehart and Ron Malone) was the first team to finish overall, with a combined time of 32 minutes, 11 seconds. The top women's team was Farmingdale-based team from The Runner's Edge, of Ellen Brach, Laura Gluf and Joelle Kane. Among the teams were lots of high school teams - representing Syosset High School, Oyster Bay High School, Center Moriches, Commack and others, as well as a team from Adelphi University. and dozens of "impromptu' teams. The club had a special service of putting together individuals who showed up and wanted to be put on teams.

GLIRC Vice President Ed Melnik was very happy with the turnout and by the positive feedback the club received about the event. "This was a great way for people to come out of hibernation after the winter, and lots of people took advantage of the opportunity," Melnik observed. "We were especially pleased to have so many local youngsters on hand for what has become an annual early spring tradition for the running community. We have a wonderful resource here in Bethpage State Park, and we are very happy that the State parks people have allowed us to put it to such a positive use."