Some of the best women runners in the world joined with lots of runners from Long Island for the 23rd Annual Vytra Women's Run, held on the roads of Farmingdale on Saturday morning, July 8 - and everyone enjoyed an almost picture-perfect event.

Transported Russian athlete Natalia Belova, who now makes her home in Manhattan, scored as the first finisher overall, in a blazing time of 15:56, amazing the spectators as she shifted into an incredible new gear at the top of the stretch at the Farmingdale High School track to pull away from runners-up Aziza Aliyn and Marie Davenport.

Top Long Island finishers were Megan Holden (17:13) Katie Di Camillo (17:38), and Lindsey Webber (17:50). Katie won the Paula Wunderlich Memorial Award as the first member of the host Greater Long Island Running Club to cross the finish line.

Top finishers from Farmingdale included Erin Mulvey (23:55), Erin Murtha (24:47), Lynn Sinner (25:46), Codie Weber (26:05), Kristen Rohde (27:13), Nancy Mangieri (27:22), Kristina Waldeck (27:31), Karen Lyons (28:58), Melissa Scardina (29:19), Helene Kriegstein (30:55), Denise Marcel (31:00), Linda Brownworth (31:00), Florence Brady (31:55), Rita Padden (32:03), Joan Ackerman (32:37, earning second place among the women in the 65-69 age group), Lori Ciniglio (36:47), Marguerite Macagnone (38:49), Meaghan Fallo (39:57), Irene Hutter (43:57), Jennifer Schneider (48:48), Carolyn Sinner (50:54), and Racewalker Ellen Shapiro (42:05).

This year's Run was once again conducted by the Greater Long Island Running Club in conjunction with the Town of Oyster Bay, with the very generous folks at Vytra Health Plans once again coming on board as the title sponsor, with a big assist from Bob Cook and his great staff at the Farmingdale-based Runner's Edge running and triathlon specialty store, PKL Physical Therapy, Long Island Sports & Rehabilitation Center and Tweezerman.

Rosemary Camilleri reprised her rookie performance with another great job as director of the event this year, with Dawn Farina serving as the coordinator of Elite Athletes, Amy Goldstein handling the Women's Fun Run, Carl Grossbard coordinating volunteers, and Terry Bisogno doing an incredible job as the finish line and awards announcer. The 2006 edition of the Run was again part of the Grand Prix of Long Island Road Races, conducted under the auspices of Long Island Track & Field, and was the 2006 Long Island Track & Field Women's Championship event.

Special thanks go to the Town of Oyster Bay and its very supportive Supervisor John Venditto for their continued support for running and fitness, to New York State Senator Carl Marcellino for his enthusiastic support, and to New York State Rob Walker, Farmingdale Mayor George Graff, Nassau County Legislator David Mejias, Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Rose Walker, and Oyster Bay Town Clerk Steven Labriola for being on hand on race day to lend their support.

The main event was preceded by a 1/4 mile fun run for future female Olympians age 12 and under on the Farmingdale High School track, with special Vytra Fun Run Medals presented to all Fun Run finishers.

The 2006 Run was conducted in the memory of Christine E. Vaccaro and her courageous battle against ovarian cancer, with a substantial portion of the proceeds going to Long Island Oceans (Ovarian Cancer Education, Advocacy, Networking and Support) - bringing light to all GYN cancers.