Local runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes are invited to join the investment firm of David Lerner Associates ("The Asset Builders") and the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) for the 16th annual David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation Run, to be held on Thursday, June 14 at Eisenhower Park.

The entire net proceeds will once again be turned over to the special Police Crisis Fund that has been established to aid Nassau and Suffolk County law enforcement officers and their families in time of emergency. In the 16 years of its existence, the Fund has distributed over $150,000 to local police officers and their families.

Ira Eskow of the host Greater Long Island Running Club will be donating his time and effort to serve as the race director once again.

The entry fee for the Run is $18 for those who enter in advance ($15 for GLIRC members), and $20 for those who enter on the day of the Run. All youngsters age 16 and younger who pre-register are entitled to take a 50 percent discount off their entry fee. All entrants will receive special 16th anniversary commemorative shirts.

Awards will be presented to the top three male runners and the top three female runners in each of 14 (five year) age groups, ranging from 14 and under to 75 and over, as well as to the top wheelchair racers. Special awards will also be presented in the "Law Enforcement" Division to the top three open male, open female, masters (age 40 and over) male and masters female law enforcement officers to cross the finish line.

Race organizers are hoping for the biggest ever turnout of local runners to show their appreciation for the police - and to provide much needed funding for the Police Crisis Fund. "Runners have a special reason for saying thank you to our law enforcement officers, noted Race Director Ira Eskow. "Without the enthusiastic support of county and local police departments, road racing as we know it in Nassau and Suffolk counties could simply not exist! But whether you are a runner or not, everyone owes a tremendous debt to the outstanding men and women who make up Long Island's police forces. They truly are 'Long Island's Finest,' and we join with the generous folks at David Lerner Associates in looking for a big outpouring of people from all over the New York Metropolitan area on June 14 to show them just how much they are appreciated."

GLIRC is once again joining forces with the Downey family to provide special "Bravest/Finest" Awards to the open and masters male and female runners with the fastest combined times in our David Lerner Associates Police Appreciation 5K Run on June 14 and the Deputy Chief Raymond Downey "Forever Running" Memorial 5K Run in Deer Park on June 17. Join us to support our "Finest" and our "Bravest."

Call 349-7646 for entry forms or more information, or register online at www.glirc.org.