Runners and walkers of all ages and levels of ability from Garden City and surrounding Island's toughest communities are invited to head east to test their training and endurance levels in the eightth annual Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid Kings Park 15K Run, Long running event.

The run will take place Saturday, March 12, starting at 9:15 a.m. at the W.T. Rogers Middle School on Old Dock Road in Kings Park. Proceeds will be donated to various brain tumor-related charities, including the American Brain Tumor Association and the family of local brain tumor patient, 9-year-old Nichole O'Connor. This will be the first year the run is being held on a Saturday rather than a Sunday.

The 15K is a perfect tough training run for those who are setting their sights on a spring marathon or half marathon. It features some of the most beautiful vistas - and most challenging hills - on Long Island's North Shore. Kings Park is very much not your usual fast, flat course - but for those who want to test themselves, the place to do it is Kings Park on Saturday, March 12. For the youngsters - and anyone else who isn't up to the 15K distance - there will also be a half-mile Fun Run/Fun Walk).

The law firm of Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid, P.C. has stepped forward to be the title sponsor of this eighth edition of the run once again, and several of the partners in the firm will themselves again be taking the challenge of the hills of Kings Park.

The Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) will stage the run, with club executive board member Steven Toto serving as the run director. Every entrant in the 15K Run will receive one long sleeve shirt specially designed for the Kings Park Run and every entrant in the Fun Run will be presented with a special commemorative medal when he or she crosses the finish line.

Awards will be given to the top male and female finisher, the top three male and female finishers in each of 14 five-year age groups, up through age 75 and older, the top three male and female finishers in each of two "Clydesdale" weight divisions and the top three male and female wheelchair racers.

There will once again be $100 cash prizes for the first place male and female runners, $50 for the first place male and female masters runners, $50 for the first male and female senior masters (age 50 plus), and $100 for the first place male and female wheelchair finishers. There is a $100 bonus if either the overall male or overall female winner breaks the course record.

The entry fee for the 15K Run has been set at $18 ($16 for GLIRC members) if residents sign up by March 5, $20 between March 6 and March 11, and $25 for those who wait until the day of the run to register (50 percent discount to all runners under 16 who register by March 5). The entry fee for the Fun Run is $4 for pre-registrants and $5 for latecomers. For information or entry forms, contact the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646 or visit and sign up online at www.glirc.org.