What can you say about another flawlessly staged event that attracts the best athletes from all over the world to come to Farmingdale? At the risk of being repetitive, "spectacular success" is an understatement! And the success of the 15th annual Nick Katsounis Memorial Wheelchair Championship 10 Kilometer Race was underscored by the fact that it was accomplished in spite of the rain, rain, rain.

The event started on Motor Avenue in front of Ellsworth Allen Town Park on Sunday morning, June 25. Athletes from all over the United States and all over the world - Mexico, Japan, Africa, Europe and Australia - gathered at the starting line on Motor Avenue, outside of Ellsworth Allen Town Park, and traversed a 6.2 mile course over the scenic, tree lined Bethpage State Parkway before returning to the finish line on Farmingdale's Lambert Avenue.

Congratulations to top finisher overall Kurt Fearnley of Australia, whose winning time of 20:15 was one of the fastest in the 15 year history of the event, and to top female finisher Edith Hunkeler of Switzerland, who set a new women's course record of 23:52. Top Masters finisher was the veteran Kenny Herriott of Scotland, and Joe Dowling of Connecticut was the Grandmasters champion, and 17 year old Aron Anderson of Sweden led the Juniors.

The top Long Island finishers were Jesse Walsh of Huntington (20th Open Male) and Peter Hawkins of Malverne (4th Masters Male), and Joe Mendez of Brentwood (2nd Grand Master).

Congratulations to Race Director Geri Walsh of the host Greater Long Island Running Club on assembling what is arguably the finest field of wheelchair athletes anywhere and for managing what really was a spectacular event. Geri was ably assisted by Assistant Race Director Joe Mendez, along with a crackerjack Race Committee that included Christine Blake Jeremias, Bob Lasky, Bob Sherman, Diane Blanchard, Chuck Albert, Dennis Mulligan, Mike Polansky, Len Symons, Alex Flyntz, Debbie Konetsky and Sherry Bellovin. Nick Katsounis had been the heart and soul of this event for a decade, and Geri and her committee continue to fill an awfully big pair of shoes, but their dedicated efforts assured the continued success and growth of the event, notwithstanding lots of obstacles this year. Also still very much with us in spirit was Kevin Walsh, in whose honor and memory was honored at the Saturday evening festivities at the Melville Marriott.

Sincere thanks to the good folks who made it financially possible to bring this important event to Long Island once again this year. Joe King and his Antun's Caterers of Queens Village still one more time stepped up to the plate and hit a home run in terms of financial support, and the event was pleased to receive the continued support of sponsors: the Greater Long Island Running Club, Karavas Place Greek Restaurant, the New York State Fraternal Order of Police, J. Bussani, Inc., Dr. Edward Fryman, Wheelchair Medic, the Katie Kirlin Fund, Brand's Cyclery. The race's newest sponsor, the Lake Success law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, is a welcome addition to the list of race supporters.

Event management very much appreciates the help and kind support provided by the Town of Oyster Bay and its very supportive Supervisor John Venditto, by Dennis Mulligan and all the other good folks from the New York State Department of Transportation, by Angela Melledy, the very gracious publisher of Able Newspaper, by the South Farmingdale Fire Department, for guarding the health and safety of our participants, by the New York State Police Department and the Nassau County Police Department, for making the course as safe as it could be, by South Shore Outdoor for the great shirts for the competitors and the volunteers, by the United Spinal Association and MTA Long Island Bus, making it possible for us to transport our athletes, and by the Melville Marriott, who made the athletes feel so welcome still one more time. A special vote of thanks to all our great volunteers from the Greater Long Island Running Club, the Rolling Thunder Program for special needs athletes, the Massapequa Road Runners, and the Massapequa Park Bike Club.

This year's event is over, but just wait until June of 2007 and the 16th annual Nick Katsounis Memorial Wheelchair Championship Race.