Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, women's marathon world record holder and two-time Boston Marathon winner, and Michelle Rohl, three-time American Olympian and racewalk record holder, will join hundreds of women athletes - including Future Olympians - at the 19th Annual Vytra Health Plans 5K Run and Race Walk in Farmingdale on Saturday, July 13.

The 5K (3.1 mile) run and racewalk, part of the KeySpan Grand Prix Series and the USA Track and Field - Long Island 5K Women's Championship - is one of the premier women's running/racewalk events in the United States, perennially drawing Olympian, elite and amateur women athletes both regionally from and around the United States.

The 2002 edition of the race, A Celebration of Women's Running, marks the sixth year that Vytra Health Plans has been the key event sponsor. Other sponsors include Estee Lauder, the Town of Oyster Bay, OSI Pharmaceuticals and the Runner's Edge. Over $7,000 in prize money will be awarded to top finishers in various categories. An anticipated 600 elite and amateur women runners, wheelchair athletes and race walkers are expected to participate.

"We are honored and absolutely thrilled to have such world-class athletes as Catherine Ndereba and Michelle Rohl join us for this year's event," said Ellen Weinstein, race director. "As a woman, an athlete and a mother of three, I'm incredibly excited to help bring this celebration of women's running and athletic achievement to national prominence."

In addition to the 5K run and racewalk, this year's event includes two unique celebration events: Future Olympians, a quarter-mile Fun Run for women athletes under 12, and a free pre-race clinic and photo/autograph session featuring Catherine Ndereba, five-time Runner's World Women's Runner of the Year and Women's Marathon World Record Holder. Both events are expected to draw hundreds of women participants.

"Women's road running, racewalking and track and field continue to gain tremendous momentum and well-deserved exposure through this and other athletic events," stated Sue Polansky, president of Long Island Track and Field. "Seeing local amateur women athletes set goals and compete along side Olympians and world-class women athletes is "world-class" in its own right."

The 19th Annual Vytra Health Plans 5K Women's Championship Run and Racewalk will take place rain or shine at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 13 at Farmingdale High School. The Future Olympians quarter-mile Fun Race will begin at 8:20 a.m. The free pre-race clinic with Catherine Ndereba will take place Friday, July 12 at 7 p.m. at the Huntington Hilton Hotel, located on Route 110 in Melville. Additional race information is available from the Greater Long Island Running Club at www.glirc.org or by calling at 349-7646.