The Long Island chapters of two very important charities - Ronald McDonald House and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - have been named as the charitable beneficiaries of the 19th annual Farrell, Fritz PC Ocean to Sound 50 Mile Relay on Sunday, Sept. 26.

The Farrell Fritz, P.C. Ocean to Sound Relay brings the entire Long Island region together in an annual September tradition, with 150 teams of eight runners each traversing a 50-mile course that starts at 8 a.m. at Jones Beach State Park, heads north and east through Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa, Farmingdale and Old Bethpage before crossing into Huntington, hitting Long Island Sound at Lloyd Harbor, returning to Nassau County via Cold Spring Harbor and Syosset, and then heading north again to a dramatic finish on the grounds of Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay. Each runner on the team covers a leg of between five and seven miles.

Farrell Fritz is recognized as one of the most respected, progressive and dynamic law firms on Long Island. Farrell Fritz is home to approximately 75 attorneys offering strong experience and depth in a diverse range of practice areas such as corporate and banking, litigation, real estate, zoning and land use, trusts and estates, and tax certiorari. The staff of Farrell Fritz is committed to community service and is actively involved in many of Long Island's charities, such as the Farrell Fritz Ocean to Sound Relay.

We are also pleased to announce that Vytra Health Plans has signed on as the presenting sponsor of this important event. We welcome this outstanding corporate citizen, and thank Vytra and its CEO Tom McAteer for their continued support!

Awards in this year's Relay will be presented to the top three male, female and coed open and masters teams, senior teams, law enforcement teams, corporate teams, and physically challenged teams. There will also be a special award for the team that best captures the "Spirit of the Relay."

But awards aren't the real attraction for most teams, who will be competing for the fun of it, to enjoy a great day on the beautiful roads of Long Island, and to be there for "the best post-race party in the Northeast" at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park.

The entry fee is only $300 per team ($37.50 per runner) through September 11, which covers entry into the race, a special commemorative shirt for each runner, and entry into the post-race party. The entry fee goes up to $340 per team after Sept. 11, so get your entry in early.

The event is administered by the Greater Long Island Running Club, under the direction of Relay Director Alan End. Technical assistance will be provided by John Snitko of JMS Racing Services, with leg-by-leg scoring by the AMB timing system.

Every local runner is most cordially invited to join us for the best single day of running on Long Island. The Farrell Fritz, P.C. Ocean to Sound Relay is a great venue for team spirit, a terrific sense of camaraderie, and a unique opportunity for runners to get a real sense of the scenic beauties and diversity of Long Island. And the post-race party is something else! All in all, you are absolutely guaranteed to have a great day.

For more information or entry forms, call Linda at the GLIRC office at 349-7646.