More than 200 local runners showed up at Eisenhower park on Saturday morning, Nov. 18 to run a 5.34 mile race and to show their support for Nassau County Parks and recreational programs.

Carlos Castro, Jr. of Levittown, arguably Long Island's top runner currently in training was the first finisher overall. Castro covered the course in 28 minutes, 46 seconds, a 5:24 per mile pace.

Other Levittown residents successfully completing the Run included Warren Vandewater, who crossed the finish line at the Eisenhower Park Fieldhouse in 43:41, and Naomi Fixman, who scored as the second woman in the 60-64 age group in 51:04.

The entire net proceeds of the Run are being turned over to a special fund to be used solely for Nassau County Parks and Recreation programs, to supplement Nassau's otherwise shrinking recreational budget. Thanks to the generosity of the Greater Long Island Running Club, South Shore Outdoor, Finish Line Road Race Technicians, the Mineola law firm of Pollack & Kotler, Kozy Shack Puddings, Snyder's of Hanover, Krispy Kreme, and Astoria Federal Savings Bank, and the participation of so many runners, several thousand dollars will be available to start the special fund off right!

"We are thrilled at the success of this inaugural Sprint for the Parks," noted race director Lynn Kotler of the host Greater Long Island Running Club. "This was an opportunity for local runners to give something back to our outstanding parks system in Nassau County, and it was great to see how many runners responded! Our congratulations to Carlos, Warren, Naomi and to everyone else who crossed the finish line!"