Congratulations to Great Neck endurance athletes Michael Ginor and Amy Goldstein, who successfully completed the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail 50-Kilometer Run on May 20. The 42-year-old Ginor completed the 31.07 mile course in 7 hours, 38 minutes, 18 seconds, and the 46-year-old Goldstein crossed the finish line at the Greater Long Island Running Club's Plainview facility in 10 hours, 03 minutes, 09 seconds.

Long Island will never be mistaken for Colorado or Utah, and the hills of Long Island's North Shore will never be mistaken for the Rockies or the Sierras. Nevertheless, the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail 50-Kilometer Run does present a definite challenge, and one that should not be taken lightly. The double out-and-back format maximizes the difficulties created by some tough uphills and bone-jarring downhills in the Lawrence Hill and Cold Spring Harbor sections of the course, especially the second time around. There's also the psychological factor of having to face the same nasty hills a second time, especially when it is so easy and tempting to bail out at the trailhead at 16 miles only a half mile from the finish line. All in all, Michael and Amy can take justifiable pride in their accomplishments.

For more information about upcoming Long Island running events at every distance, contact the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.