Hicksville runners and walkers of every age and ability are cordially invited to be part of the 12th annual edition of the Oyster Bay Town Supervisor's Oyster Festival 5 Kilometer Run, to be held on Saturday morning, Oct. 16, as the kickoff event of this year's Oyster Festival. The run will start in Fireman's Field in Oyster Bay at exactly 9 a.m. on the morning of the 16th.

The primary sponsors of the event once again will be the State Bank of Long Island and the Town of Oyster Bay. Vytra Health Plans will also be back as a sponsor for the fourth year.

The run will be conducted under the direction of the Greater Long Island Running Club, with GLIRC President Mike Polansky serving as the race director once again this year. Technical support will be furnished by Finish Line Road Race Technicians, utilizing the new "Champion Chip" race scoring technology.

This year's run has been carefully planned to make sure that it is a "fun" event for the entire family and everyone is urged to stick around after the run to enjoy the Oyster Festival.

Distinctive commemorative T-shirts will be given to everyone who registers, and all registrants will be eligible for the massive door prize drawing that will take place at the awards ceremony. Awards will be presented to the top five male and top five female finishers overall, the top five male and female finishers in each of 14 5-year age groups (through 75 and older), the top three wheelchair finishers, and the top Clydesdale runners in two male and female weight divisions.

The entry fee for the run will be $15 for those who preregister ($14 for residents of the Town of Oyster Bay), and $18 for those who wait until the day of the run to register. Post-registration and number and T-shirt pickup will be at the Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the run. The run will start promptly at 9 a.m.

Runners from Hicksville were especially prominent in the 1998 edition of the run, led by Joe Basso, 10th overall and first in the 20-24 age group; Liz Flahavan, who was the fourth woman finisher overall and John Lupski, who took top honors in the 45-49 age group. Basso and Lupski are expected to be back this year, but expectant mother Flahavan is scheduled to give birth just a few weeks before the run and may have to beg off this year!

"This is a great run and a terrific challenge for local recreational athletes," observed Race Director Mike Polansky. "The hills around Oyster Bay are a stunning venue for an early morning run in October, and we are looking for a crisp, clear autumn morning that will make it possible for everyone to have a picture-perfect run. We are very much appreciative of the Town of Oyster Bay and its outstanding Department of Recreation and Parks, of the support of Town Supervisor John Venditto, of Mary Durkin, Tom Arnone and all the other wonderful folks from State Bank of Long Island, for making this event a reality once again this year, and to our "junior" sponsor Vytra Health Plans for its fourth year of involvement with the run. We hope that every runner and walker on Long Island will join us here in beautiful Oyster Bay for a great morning run - and that they will stick around to enjoy the Oyster Festival afterwards." The Oyster Bay Town Supervisor's Oyster Festival Run is what recreational running and racing on Long Island can¬and should¬be all about.

For entry forms or more information call Mike at the Running Club at 349-7646.