Don Di Donato, 41 years old, of Hicksville, Long Island's "king of the roads," led a field of 502 runners and walkers who celebrated Father's Day by successfully completing the 2nd annual Vytra Kids Helping Kids 5 Kilometer Run on Sunday morning, June 20.

Other Hicksville residents winning awards in the Kids Helpng Kids Run were John Lupski, who finished second in the 45-49 age group in 18:15, and Maria Hlavaty of Hicksville, who was the third woman in the 50-54 age group in 28:53.

The run was held on the roads of Plainview, starting and finishing at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School. The run was conducted by the Greater Long Island Running Club on behalf of Kids Helping Kids, with the entire net proceeds earmarked to help children with extraordinary health needs. Kids Helping Kids founder Robert Eslick served as the race director.

In addition to the 502 finishers in the 5 Kilometer Run, nearly 200 youngsters took part in either the 400 yard Sprint or the 1/2 mile Fun Run on the middle school track that preceded the main event.

Among those on hand to wish the runners and walkers well were Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs. Oyster Bay Town Councilman Len Symons, himself an avid runner and proud member of the Greater Long Island Running Club, was on hand as a participant in the run.

Thanks go to title sponsor Vytra Health Plans, and other major sponsors Woodbury Deli, North Ford Bank, Tucker Anthony, Camp Kenwall, McDonald's and Hunt-Liedtke Management Co., Inc.

"We are thrilled at the turnout for this year's run." noted Race Director Eslick, "and especially by the amazing turnout of kids to help other kids. If we can teach the youth of America to help each other, imagine what they will do for each other when they become adults. The youth of today are America's future tomorrow, and that's what "Kids Helping Kids" and this event are all about!"photo