Runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes from the Massepequas and Farmingdale are cordially invited to come to Kings Park on Sunday, March 25 to test their training and endurance levels by being a part of the fourth annual Kings Park 15K run.

The run will feature some of the most beautiful vistas and most challenging hills on Long Island's North Shore. This is not the average fast, flat course, but is for those who want to test themselves. For those who aren't up to the 15K distance, there will be a half mile fun run/walk preceding the main event.

The run will start at the W.T. Rogers Middle School on Old Dock Road in Kings Park at 9:15 a.m. The entire net proceeds of the run will be donated to the Brain Tumor Foundation and Kings Park athletic programs.

Every entrant in the 15K run will receive one of the distinctive high quality long sleeve T-shirts specially designed for the Kings Park run, and every entrant will also be presented with a commemorative medal when he or she crosses the finish line.

The women's winner in both the 1999 and 2000 editions of the Kings Park run was Donna McMahon of Farmingdale, setting a new women's course record in 2000 with a 59:33 finish. Other local award winners in the run included Farmingdale resident Jonathan Nunez, who took third place honors in the 14 and under age group.

Awards in 2001 will be given to the top male and female finisher, to the top three male and female finishers in each of 14 five-year age groups, up through age 75 and over, and the top three male and female finishers in each of two "Clydesdale" weight divisions. The top three male and female wheelchair finishers will also receive awards.

There will once again be $100 cash prizes for the top male and female runners, and $50 for the top male and female masters runners and the wheelchair finishers.

The run, sponsored by the law firm of Lazer, Aptheker, Feldman, Rosella and Yedid, LLP, will be managed by the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) and Mary Ellen Stajk will again serve as race director.

"This is very much not your typical fast, flat course for those who are out to see how fast they can run on an easy course," Stajk stated. "It has been specially designed to accommodate those who are looking for something a bit more testing, who want to challenge themselves with something more demanding than the usual weekend 5K race. For those who are planning to run a half marathon or full marathon this spring, it will be a test of where they are in their training. "

The entry fee for the 15K run has been set at $17 for those who preregister ($16 for GLIRC members) and $25 for those who sign up after March 17. The entry fee for the Fun Run has been set at $5 for preregistrants and $6 for those who register late.

For entry forms or more information, or to volunteer to help, call Mary Ellen Stajk at 631-544-4912 or the Greater Long Island Running Club at 516-349-7646.