Westbury speedster Adam Zimmerman, 21, out kicked Kevin Cunningham of Old Bethpage and Guillermo Fuentes of Fresh Meadows to finish in first place overall in the 17th annual edition of the Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5 Kilometer Run through the roads of Bethpage on Dec. 18.

Only two seconds separated the top three finishers, with Zimmerman taking first place honors in 17 minutes, three seconds. A total of 1006 runners and walkers completed the 5K main event, and well over a hundred kids enjoyed the quarter-mile Fun Run that preceded it. Top female finisher was Katherine Guilfoyle of Mount Sinai in 18:52. There were lots of costumed runners and centipedes, and an overall spirit of fun and camaraderie that made it a perfect event for the holiday season.

The top finisher from Hicksville was 28-year-old Bryan Decker, who finished in 21:26, good for the third place trophy in the very competitive 25-29 age group.

Congratulations and thanks to run co-Directors Joe Sturgess and Bob Sherman, both of the host Greater Long Island Running Club; to the good folks from title sponsor Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt; to presenting sponsor Local 338-Retail, Wholesale & Chain Store Food Employees Union, and to supporting sponsors jetBlue Airways, Nikon, Propel Fitness Water and Whole Foods Market of Manhasset. Special thanks go to Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano, who served as the Official Starter, to Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Diane Blanchard and all the other good people from the town's Recreation Department, and to Nassau County Legislator David Majias and Village of Farmingdale Attorney Greg Carman, both of whom successfully completed the 5K run. Everyone contributed to what was a very special event.

Proceeds of the run went to the Tender Loving Care Foundation for neonatal care, the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, and the Bretton Bowl Fund for the Needy Families of Bethpage.