Among the highlights of the annual awards breakfast of Long Island Track and Field (LITF) was the presentation of the Long Distance Running Male Athlete of the Year Award to Levittown speedster Carlos Castro Jr.

The award was presented to Castro in recognition of his outstanding performance in the 2001 21 race KeySpan Grand Prix of Long Distance Running.

LITF is the local Long Island branch of USA Track and Field, the official national governing body of long distance running, cross country running, track and field and race walking. LITF, the newest association of USATF, was established on Jan. 1, 2000, and has quickly grown to a membership of over 1,500 individual members and 25 organizational members.

The awards brunch was held before an audience of more than 200 athletes, coaches and officials at the KeySpan Corporation dining facility on Old Country Road in Hicksville.