The 11th annual 5 Kilometer Run served as the kickoff for the Oyster Festival last Saturday, Oct. 17. When the dust had settled, Donna McMahon was the overall women's winner once again. She crossed the finish line in 18 minutes, 17 seconds, comfortably in front of second place finisher Kathy Martin of Northport (18:54) who was the overall women's winner in 18:54.

McMahon beat all but eight of the male finishers as well, including her husband Brian, who turned in a strong 19:46 to take fourth place honors in the men's 40 to 44 age group.

One of the men that McMahon didn't beat was 50-year-old Kieran Kelly of Massapequa, who was the fifth finisher overall in 17:52.

Other top finishers from the Massapequa/Farmingdale area included Krista Pellizzi of North Massapequa; Stacey McCarthy of Massapequa; Meghan Fitzpatrick of Farmingdale and Lauren Cohen of Farmingdale, who finished 1-2-3-4 in the women's 14 and under age group; Rob Reustle of Massapequa Park, who was third in the men's 20-24 age group; and Lisa Scudera of Massapequa Park, the third finisher in the women's 30-34 age group.

Some older top local finishers were Sherry Bellovin of Massapequa, second in the women's 50-54 age group; Margarita Hernandez, who scored third in the women's 55-59 age group; John Neisen of Massapequa Park, second in the men's 70-74 age group; and Bill Merz of Massapequa, third in the men's 75 and over age group. At age 76, Bill received a special award as the oldest finisher from the Town of Oyster Bay.

A total of 540 runners crossed the finish line at Fireman's Field in Oyster Bay, making the Oyster Festival 5K one of the largest 5 Kilometer runs of the Long Island fall season once again this year.

The run was once again staged under the auspices of the Town of Oyster Bay, thanks to the offices of Town Supervisor John Venditto and the town's recreation department. The primary corporate sponsor was once again State Bank of Long Island, with a big assist from Vytra Health Plans. The run was administered by the Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club, with POBRRC's Mike Polansky serving as the race director. Technical direction was given by David Katz of Finish Line Race Technicians.

Local women runners get a break this week. Donna and Brian McMahon will be heading for Florida, where Donna will be competing against some of the nation's best in an "Ironman" triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run).