Nearly 1,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes crossed the 5 kilometer finish line at Bethpage High School and more than 100 youngsters successfully completed the quarter-mile fun run that preceded the main event, as the Long Island running community celebrated the holidays with the 16th annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run on the morning of Dec. 20. Bethpage is the final stop of the year on the Long Island running circuit.

Trisha Fasini of Massapequa took home the first place trophy in the women's 25-29 age group in 19:02. Other local award winners included Alex Bujacich of Massapequa Park, who took second place honors in the 14 and under age group in 20:55; Joe Picini of Farmingdale, who scored second in the 45-49 age group in 19:59; Sherry Bellovin of North Massapequa, the top finisher in the women's 55-59 age group in 28:26; Geza Feld of Farmingdale, scoring first in the 70-74 age group; John Niesen of Massapequa Park, who scored first in the 75 and over age group in 35:01; John Stauber of North Massapequa, third in the men's 200 pound plus Clydesdale Weight Division in 22:11; and Christine Stankard of Massapequa, who earned third place honors in the women's 160 pound plus Clydesdale Division in 25:10.

Other Farmingdale finishers in this year's run included Diane Herbert (24:29), Fred Benlein (25:31), 10-year-old Michael Mitchell (26:59), Karen Flores (27:32), Denise Slane (27:47), William Slane (27:48), Howard Russ (29:16), Veronica Delucia (29:17), Howard Russell (29:22), Sal Scimeca (29:24), Toni Glenn (31:49), Paula Flynn (32:44), Joan Ackerman (33:03), Dan Pfeifer (34:39), Eunice Lipinski (34:14), Jenine Dreizen (34:53), Carol McBride (34:53), 13-year-old Stephen Mitchell (36:12), Allison Pfeifer (36:26) and 8-year-old Joshua Murthy (42:27). Congratulations to all athletes.

Race Directors Joe Sturgess and Bob Sherman of the host Greater Long Island Running Club can take great pride in a job well done, as can Technical Director Ed Melnik of The Big Finish. Thanks go to generous sponsors Local 338/Retail, Wholesale & Chain Store Food Employees Union, Whole Foods of Manhasset, Kozy Shack Pudding and Shop Rite. Thanks also go to JetBlue Airways, who donated two roundtrip tickets to California which served as the grand prize for the post-race raffle.

GLIRC also thanks Legislator Ed Mangano for servicing as the official starter, sending the participants on their way down Cherry Avenue, and to Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and the entire town for their support. The major portion of the proceeds of this year's run were once again split between the Bretton Bowl Fund for the needy families of Bethpage in the holiday season and the Maurer Foundation for breast health education.

"There is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a healthy morning of family fitness and fun such as the Ho Ho Ho Run," said race co-director Joe Sturgess. "We are again thrilled with this year's turnout, and we hope that our friends from Farmingdale, the Massapequas and everywhere else come back again on Dec. 18, 2004 for the 17th annual running of this wonderful event."