Over 300 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes headed for Eisenhower Park on the evening of Aug. 10 with a dual purpose in mind - to enjoy an excellent 5 Kilometer race hosted by the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) and, at the same time, to help "give back" to Nassau County park and recreational programs by raising funds for direct park and recreational use.

Overall winners were Kathy Martin and Tyson Smith, and wheelchair champion Peter Hawkins.

Local runners did very well in the run. Special congratulations go to Levittown award-winners Shane O'Leary, who was the sixth runner overall to cross the finish line at the Eisenhower Park Fieldhouse and took third place honors in the highly competitive 15-19 age group; Shane's dad, Tom O'Leary, scored as the third place male Clydesdale; Tanja Jacobsen was the first female Clydesdale, age group; and Melissa Berkowitz took top honors among the women in the 30-34 age group.

Lynn Kotler of the host GLIRC once again did a great job as race director; Audrey Gaccione was a key part of a strong team as the coordinator of volunteers and David Katz did his usual professional job with the finish line and results. GLIRC representatives very much appreciate the support of sponsors, such as the law firm of Pollack & Kotler, Snyder's of Hanover, Stop & Shop, Friendly's (who donated much-appreciated ice cream) and Polar Heart Race Monitors.

Special thanks also go out to Hick's Nurseries, who generously donated the tree that will be planted in the new "Grove of Champions" in Eisenhower Park. This year the grove will get three new trees in honor of Tyson Smith, Kathy Martin and Peter Hawkins.

"The 2003 sprint is another example of how runners are caring and giving people," said Race Director Lynn Kotler. "Those of us who use Eisenhower Park and the other great venues in the Nassau County Parks system are very much appreciative of what we get from our parks, so I was pleased to see that so many local runners seized this opportunity to support our parks by participating in the 2003 Sprint for the Parks."