Most of Long Island's top runners were on hand on Advent Street in Westbury to take part in the annual Westbury/Carle Place Rotary Spring Sprint 5 Kilometer Run on Saturday morning, May 22, and when the dust settled it was local superstar Donna McMahon who was the first female runner to cross the finish line. The Westbury Run was the fourth event in the KeySpan Energy Grand Prix Series being staged by Long Island Track & Field, so most top local runners showed up to compete.

Donna, who competes under the colors of the Fast Feet Women's Racing Team of the Greater Long Island Running Club, crossed the finish line in 18 minutes, 25 seconds, more than a full minute in front of Patty Zebersky, who was second woman overall and first in the 40-49 age group. The runners were led through the streets of Westbury by the KeySpan Energy pace car.

Rob Di Biasi did an excellent job as "rookie" Director of the Run, which was a success from every standpoint, said participants. Ed Melnik of The Big Finish took care of the computerized scoring and other technical details. Highlighting the morning was the presentation of a $1000 check to Westbury-Carle Place Rotary President Linda Walker by Phil Maroney of KeySpan Energy and Long Island Track & Field President Sue Polansky.

"We are thrilled that the Westbury-Carle Place Run is part of our inaugural Grand Prix," noted LITF President Sue Polansky, "and especially thrilled with the outstanding performance of Donna McMahon and the other runners. Thanks to our very good friends from Keyspan -- People Helping People -- we are even more thrilled to have been able to present the $1000 check to the Rotary for all the wonderful charitable work they are doing."