The weather could not have been better for the third annual Main Street Mile, making the memories of the winds and rain from Tropical Storm Ernesto from last year's race a distant memory. Records were set this year for registrants (335) and two course records for the men (4:10) and women (4:48). This event was presented by Bob Cook, owner of the Runners Edge on Main Street in Farmingdale, who was race co-director along with Mark Leff of Cisco Systems. Proceeds from the Main Street Mile supports the Companions in Courage Foundation, founded by former New York Islander and Hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, who was in attendance and participated in the event. Proceeds from this year's event exceeded $7,500, which was contributed to CiC.

The title event sponsor was North Fork Bank. Other sponsors included Cisco Systems, Dr. Larry Lembo, a Farmingdale-based chiropractor, Stop & Shop (who very generously donated all the water and fruit given to race participants), the Library Cafe, World Gym in Wantagh, Babylon Bike Shop, the UPS Store in Massapequa, LBI Software Engineering, the Greater Long Island Running Club, the Farmingdale Observer, and The Nutty Irishman, who was gracious enough to host a post-awards ceremony reception for all the participants, providing food and drink for participants. There was also a kids fun run where 40 participants ran a quarter-mile up and down Main Street and got medals and free ice cream from Bollingers.

"I can't thank Bob Cook and the Runners Edge enough for their hard work and such a class job," said Pat LaFontaine, former NY Islander and Hockey Hall of Famer, and founder of CiC. "I really appreciate the work Bob, Mark Leff, Mindy Davidson, Eric Bressler and Craig Gluf and all the volunteers put into this event. Bob Cook and the Runners Edge are truly solid pillars of the Farmingdale community as demonstrated by this event that will help CiC support children and their families in their time of need."

In the men's open division (under 40 years of age), Dustin Ermani of Kings Point won in a time of 4:10, a course record, followed by Chris Mammone of Valley Stream, who finished in a time of 4:13. Christian Fogarazzo finished third in a time of 4:15. In the men's master's division (over 40 years of age), John Williams of Freeport won in a time of 4:37, followed by Paul Murphy of West Sayville in a time of 4:43, with Rich Gregory of Garden City finishing third in a time of 4:44.

In the women's division, Jen Campbell of Farmingdale won in a course record of 4:48, followed by Michele Henschel of Bellmore in a time of 5:04, with Crystal Cammarano finishing third in a time of 5:16. In the Female Masters Division, Zofia Wieciorkowska of Stratford, CT, won in a time of 4:54, followed by Susan Snyder of Briarcliff Manor in a time of 5:27, with Laura Gluf of Bethpage finishing third in a time of 5:31.

Farmingdale residents fared well in the race as well. Farmingdale participants included Brendan Dagan in 4:16, Stephen Druanti in 4:52, 15-year-old Luke Alber in 5:07, Peter Tufo in 5:19, Jeffrey Morrison in 6:25, 12-year-old Natalie Marron in 6:26, Frank Carfora in 6:43, Carrie Godas in 6:55, Sara Tolson in 6:59, 8-year-old Michael Fernandez in 6:59, Michael Thiem in 7:12, 10-year-old Margaret Velez in 7:16, Karl Desdel in 7:16, Clara Velez in 7:17, Angeline Rohan in 7:18, David Serkes in 7:23, 11-year-old Michaela Duranti in 7:27; 12-year-old Gina Cristalls in 7:27, 12-year-old Julia Horrmann in 7:30, 13-year-old Samantha Duranti in 7:32, Paul Horrmann in 7:32, Kevin Norton in 7:44, 8-year-old Catie Flemin in 7:45, Lisa Snellinger in 8:03, 9-year-old Trevor Duranti in 8:24, Joan Ackerman in 8:52, Christin Christalls in 9:17, Marguerite Macagnone in 9:22, Melissa Norton in 9:59, Emma Norton in 10:44, Justine Antonelli in 14:18, John Rohan in 7;19, Richard Gunzel in 7:20, Geraldine Rohan in 8:37.

The race's oldest finishers included 88-year-old Bill Benson of Valley Stream in a time of 11:27, 83-year-old George Dennis of Muttontown in a time of 11:11, 80-year-old Bert Jablon of Syosset in 8:56, and 79-year-old George Devoe of Hauppauge in a time of 8:29.

The race's youngest finisher was 5-year-old Grace Mohlin of Massapequa, who finished in an amazing time of 10:09, making it a family affair by being accompanied by her mother Brenda, who finished in a time of 10:08, her sister Emily who finished in 9:20, and her father John Mohlin, who finished in a time of 8:49. Other notable performances included 8-year-old James Dooley of Massapequa, who turned in a terrific performance with 7:56, accompanied by his uncle, Ray Johnson of Massapequa also finishing in 7:56, and his father Jim Dooley who finished in a time of 9:42. In addition, 12-year-old Maggie Fleming of Farmingdale finished in a terrific effort at 5:47, 10-year-old Ryan Clifford in 5:45, 14-year-old Christian Renz of Huntington in 6:05, 10-year-old Michael Brannagan in a time of 6:06, 13-year-old Molly Josephs in a time of 6:27, and 8-year-old Christopher Stauber in a time of 9:56.

The Rolling Thunder team also had significant representation. One notable performance was 8-year-old Kyle Jankowski of Wantagh, a wheelchair participant who finished in a time of 13:42.

Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias also participated in the race, finishing in a time of 7:37. He also took time to talk to all the participants during the awards ceremony at the gazebo. Nassau County Parks Commissioner Jose Lopez was also in attendance.

Proceeds from the race will go toward LaFontaine's nonprofit organization Companions in Courage (CiC). CiC's immediate goal is to raise funds to build interactive playrooms in children's hospitals throughout North America. Through innovative communications tools, these playrooms are meant to replace the isolation of a hospital with a connection to family, friends and celebrities during their hospital stay. This effort paves the way for their motto, "no child in the fight for life or health should ever have to go it alone."

The rooms, dubbed the Lion's Den, have state-of-the-art technology from Cisco Systems, Microsoft and Full Armour Software. Patients receive a "smart" card when they check into the hospital, identifying them as members of a special community with unique privileges. The key is an ID device that allows children to personalize their experience within the Lion's Den room with activities such as web surfing, video game playing and video-conferencing. The newest Lion's Den interactive playroom opened at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital at Columbia Presbyterian on Sept. 5, just days after the run. The $7,500 proceeds raised went toward that effort.

"We are very pleased to be part of this event, supporting such a great cause and all the great work done by Pat LaFontaine and Companions in Courage," said Joe Roberto, North Fork Bank vice president. "We look forward to seeing more of the Lion's Den facilities in more hospitals to benefit more children and their families.

Mark Leff of Cisco Systems, was greatly involved in the event as race co-director. "It was great to see so many families come out and so many children participate in the one-mile run. In fact, it's interesting to note that 49 of the finishers were 12 years old and under. When all is said and done, this event is about benefiting children and their families in their time of need. It's so fitting that the opening of the Lion's Den playroom at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital was only days after this event, showing what this event and the work Pat does with Companions in Courage means. We think this is the beginning of a great Labor Day weekend tradition for Farmingdale." Leff stated.

For more information on Companions in Courage Foundation, visit their website at www.cic16.org.