A special invitation has been issued to runners and walkers from the Massapequas and Farmingdale to join in on a morning of festive family fun and fitness at the 15th Annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5K run, to be held on the roads of Bethpage on Saturday morning, Dec. 21.

The Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run has traditionally been one of the largest recreational sporting events on Long Island, attracting well over a thousand runners and walkers to help usher in the holiday season.

The 2002 edition of the run will once again be conducted under the auspices of the Greater Long Island Running Club, with Vitamin World providing the primary financial support, along with Grubb & Ellis Realty ("Property Solutions Worldwide"). Registration will take place at Bethpage High School on Cherry Avenue in Bethpage from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. on the morning of the 21st, and the starting gun for the 5K Run will go off promptly at 9:30 a.m. There will also be a 1/4-mile run for youngsters age 10 and under starting at 8:45 a.m. with awards presented to all competitors.

Runners from Farmingdale and the Massapequas have traditionally led the way in the Ho Ho Ho Run. Top local finishers in the 2001 edition of the run included Geza Feld of Farmingdale, third place finisher in the 65-69 age group; Trisha Fasini of Massapequa, who finished third in the women's 20-24 age group; William Slane of Farmingdale, who scored second in the "Clydesdale" 185-199 pound weight division and Dennis Bujacich of Massapequa Park, who scored third in the "Clydesdale" 200 pound plus weight division.

The 5K course will take the runners on a scenic winter tour through the Bethpage community and then back again to the finish line at the high school for bountiful holiday refreshments. All runners and walkers are encouraged to come in costume and there will be a gala "costume parade" with prizes for the best costumes, starting at 9 a.m.

Awards will be given to the top male and female finisher overall in the 5K Run; plus the top three male and female finishers in each of 14 five-year age groups (through age 75 and over); the top three male and female finishers in each of two "Clydesdale" weight categories; and the first three male and female wheelchair competitors. Everyone who enters the 5K run will receive a special high quality commemorative Ho Ho Ho Run sweat shirt. Walkers are most definitely invited to join in the fun!

The entire net proceeds of the event will be split between the "Bretton Bowl" fund for the needy families of Bethpage and the Maurer Foundation for breast health education.

Everyone who is participating in the run is encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to registration on the morning of Dec. 21. The toys will be distributed to needy children at the St. Mary's Children and Family Services Holiday Party on Dec. 26.

The 5K entry fee is $17 for those who register by Dec. 11, $20 for those who register between Dec. 12 and 20 and $25 for those who register the day of the run. The 1/4-mile run for the kids is free!

"The Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run is much more than just another road race," observed race Directors Bob Sherman and Joe Sturgess of the Running Club. "We're putting on a special holiday event that is a celebration of the season for runners, walkers and their families. It will, once again, be an enjoyable morning to start the holiday season right with lots of wholesome fun for everyone, an opportunity for the kids to be part of the fun and with the proceeds going to two most important causes. We very much hope to see as many of our friends as possible join us for a great event!"

For entry forms or more information, call the Running Club at 349-7646.