The biggest field to ever compete in a 15 Kilometer Run on Long Island crossed the finish line of the fifth annual Kings Park 15 Kilometer Challenge Run at the W.T. Rogers Middle School on Sunday morning, March 17. A strong contingent of Farmingdale runners were part of the total of 775 runners who made their way to the finish.

New York City schoolteacher Robert Grady, who was born and bred in Kings Park, came home from the Bronx for the 15K, and outkicked course record holder Rafael Veras of Inwood by three seconds to win this year's run in 51 minutes 37 seconds. The women's race was even closer, as Juana Vazquez of Astoria held on by one second over Elizabeth Ratner of Mineola.

Farmingdale speedster Mary Anne Goldman was high up on the list of award winners in Kings Park, taking top honors among the women in the 55-59 age group, with an impressive time of 1:14:30.

The run was conducted under the auspices of the Greater Long Island Running Club. Kings Park's own Mary Ellen Stajk, a member of the Running Club's Executive Board, served as the race director once again this year.

The proceeds of the run will be donated to the American Brain Tumor Foundation, Kings Park athletic programs, and other deserving charities.

This year's Kings Park 15 Kilometer Run was once again part of the KeySpan Grand Prix of Long Island Distance Running conducted under the auspices of Long Island Track and Field, and served as Long Island Track and Field's 15 Kilometer Championship Race for 2002.