Vytra Health Plans and the Greater Long Island Running Club are combining their resources on Saturday morning, April 12, to stage the Vytra Human Race 5 Kilometer Run, with the entire proceeds of the run to be turned over to the Developmental Disabilities Institute. Runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes from all areas are encouraged to participate.

The run will be held at Heckscher State Park in East Islip, over the flattest, fastest 5 kilometer course on Long Island. The starting gun for the 5 kilometer main event will go off at exactly 9 a.m. The 5K will be preceded by a 1/2 mile Fun Run for the kids starting at 8:30 a.m.

The Vytra Human Race 5 Kilometer Run is one of a full roster of community outreach programs fostered by Vytra Health Plans to improve the quality of life on Long Island by promoting physical fitness and good health. Other such programs include the Vytra Cup Annual High School Hockey Tournament, the Vytra Volleyball Tournament at Jones Beach, the Vytra Long Island Women's Run, the Vytra-TOBAY Triathlon, and SPF 2003: Sun Protection for 2003.

The Developmental Disabilities Institute, which will reap the benefits of the Vytra Human Race 5K Run, is a private non-profit multi-site facility that provides services for children and adults with autism and many other developmental disabilities. DDI, recognized as the Long Island regional center of excellence for individuals with developmental disabilities, maintains six campuses for day education as well as many residential facilities for both children and adults.

Entry fees for the 5 Kilometer Run are $17, with a $1 discount for all preregistered members of the Greater Long Island Running Club. The 5K entry fee will be $20 for those who wait till the day of the run to enter. The fee for the Fun Run is $7 for those who preregister and $8 for those who register on the day of the run. Every entrant will be presented with a spectacular top quality T-shirt as a memento of the morning and there will be some great post-run refreshments for everyone. Walkers and wheelchair athletes are most cordially invited to be part of the fun.

Awards will be presented to the first male and female overall to cross the finish line, to the top three male and female wheelchair finishers, to the top three male and female finishers in each of 15 five-year age groups running from 12 and under to 75 and over, and to the top three male and female finishers in each of two "Clydesdale" weight divisions.

Overall race management will be provided by the Greater Long Island Running Club. Technical direction, timing and results will be provided by David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians, utilizing the "Champion Chip" system.

To obtain a race application, or for more information about the Vytra Human Race 5 Kilometer Run, call the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646, or visit the club's website at www.glirc.org. Online registration is also available at www.glirc.org.