Twenty-one-year-old Westbury speedster Adam Zimmerman out kicked Kevin Cunningham of Old Bethpage and Guillermo Fuentes of Fresh Meadows to finish in first place overall in the 17th annual edition of the Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5 Kilometer Run through the roads of Bethpage.

Only two seconds separated the top three finishers, with Zimmerman taking first place honors in 17 minutes, 3 seconds. A total of 1006 runners and walkers completed the 5K main event, and well over a hundred kids enjoyed the 1/4 mile Fun Run that preceded it. Top female finisher was Katherine Guilfoyle of Mount Sinai in 18:52. There were lots of costumed runners and centipedes, and an overall spirit of fun and camaraderie that made it a perfect event for the holiday season.

Lots of athletes from Farmingdale and the Massapequas were on hand to help make the Run a success this year. Local award winners included John Stauber of Massapequa, who scored second in the 185- 199 pound Clydesdale Division; Gregory Carman of Farmingdale, who finished 3rd in the 200 pound plus Clydesdale Division; Roy Seher of Farmingdale, 3rd 15-19 age group; Kristin Daly of Massapequa, 3rd 20-24 age group; Jay Byrne of Massapequa, 3rd 50-54 age group, and Geza Feld of Farmingdale, top finisher in the 70-74 age group.

Congratulations and thanks to Run Co-Directors Joe Sturgess of Jericho and Bob Sherman of Plainview, both of the host Greater Long Island Running Club, to the good folks from title sponsor Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt, to presenting sponsor Local 338-Retail, Wholesale & Chain Store Food Employees Union, and to our supporting sponsors JetBlue Airways, Nikon, Propel Fitness Water, Whole Foods Market of Manhasset. Special thanks go to Nassau County Legistator Ed Mangano, who served as the official starter, to Town Supervisor John Venditto and Diane Blanchard and all the other good people from the town's recreation Department, and to Nassau County Legislator David Majias and Village of Farmingdale Attorney Greg Carman, both of whom successfully completed the 5K Run. Everyone contributed to what was a very special event.

Proceeds of the Run went to the Tender Loving Care Foundation for Neonatal Care, the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, and the Bretton Bowl Fund for the Needy Families of Bethpage.