A record breaking total of 1,253 runners and walkers crossed the Bethpage High School finish line at the 14th annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run on Saturday morning, Dec. 22; 1,474 folks were registered for the event, also a record.

Top Farmingdale finishers were 27-year-old Brian De Vito in 21:02, William Slane, who scored second in the Clydsdale Weight Division in 21:11, and 68-year-old Geza Feld, who took third place honors in the 65-69 age group in 22:24. Other Farmingdale runners successfully completing in the run were Denise Slad (23:41), Tina Gimmi (23:44), Sleepy Hollow Run Director Greg Carman (23:59), Melissa Berkowitz (24:37), Gaylord Farkur (24:58), Eric Starr (25:24, Nancy Hanrahan (25:25), Neil Bannon (25:25), Vito Vulpis (26:10), Michael Biase (26:22), Fred Benlein (26:25); Don Gynn (28:00), Russell Howard (29:09); 12-year-old Jimmy Hogan (31:37), 12-year-old Kelly Porcelli (31:42), 8-year-old Michael Thomas Gangerossa (32:00), Paula Flynn (32:02), Kathleen Gangerossa (32:05), 12-year-old Tara Gangerossa (32:14), Michael Gangerossa (32:19), Toni McLeod (32:30), Vern McLeod (32:30), Janine Dreizen (33:50), Carol McBride (33:52), E.L. Fudge (34:31), Ellen Shapiro (40:55), 11-year-old Chris Cringle (42:36), Martha Farkur (42:49), Judith Goodnough (49:56), Alfred Pereca (57:14) and Theresa Perreca (57:17).

The real story of the day wasn't about winning and losing, but about the incredible turnout of recreational athletes, many of them dressed as Santas, elves, reindeer and other denizens of the Holiday season. The total of 1,253 finishers was 400 more than finished the 2001 edition of the run, great testimony to the increasing popularity of the racing programs offered by the Greater Long Island Running Club, and the warm welcome the runners and walkers receive from the friendly Bethpage community. An additional 60 youngsters participated in the 1/4 Mile Fun Run on the Bethpage High School track that preceded the main event.

The proceeds of this year's Run will be distributed to the "Bretton Bowl" Fund for local needy families and the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education.

Congratulations to Race Directors Joe Sturgess and Bob Sherman of the Greater Long Island Running Club, and Technical Director David Katz of Finish Line Road Race technicians for an outstanding job once again this year, and to Greater Long Island Running Club Coordinator of Volunteers Mindy Davidson and the more than a hundred volunteers who contributed to the success of the Run. This year's Run was sponsored by two outstanding Long Island corporate citizens - Vitamin World/Nutrition Warehouse and Grubb & Ellis realtors. Extra special thanks go to Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and outgoing Town Councilman Len Symons as well for their enthusiastic and vital support.

"This was a great morning for the Long Island Running community," observed Race Co-Director Bob Sherman. "We are happy that we will be able to make another substantial contribution to the community through the Bretton Bowl Fund, and that other moneys will be turned over to the Maurer Foundation for their important work in combating the deadly scourge of breast cancer. We hope to do even better on December 21, as we celebrate the 15th annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run."