The unstoppable Donna McMahon of Farmingdale led the way in the women's field as 502 runners and walkers celebrated Father's Day by successfully completing the second annual Kids Helping Kids 5 Kilometer Run on Sunday morning, June 20. The 29-year-old McMahon finished in 17 minutes, 48 seconds, eight seconds in front of 14-year-old Wantagh speedster Jean Coleman.

The Run was held on the roads of Plainview, starting and finishing at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School. The Run was conducted by the Greater Long Island Running Club on behalf of Kids Helping Kids, with the entire net proceeds earmarked to help children with extraordinary health needs. Kids Helping Kids founder Robert Eslick served as the Race Director.

Other Massapequa and Farmingdale residents winning awards in the Kids Helping Kids Run were Tia Wofford of South Farmingdale, who took top honors in the women's 12-14 age group in 23:34, Heather Jonas of Massapequa Park, 1st in the women's 15-17 age group in 23:39, Megan Fortunato of Farmingdale, 2nd in the women's 15-17 age group in 27:26, Stacey Celenski of Farmingdale, 1st in the women's 18-19 age group in 43:23, Laura Gluf of Massapequa, 6th woman overall and 1st in the 30-34 age group in 19:45, Julie Genova of Massapequa, 3rd in the women's 40-44 age group in 24:19, Sherry Bellovin of North Massapequa, 2nd in the women's 50-54 age group in 28:04, and Margarita Hernandez of Massapequa, top finisher in the women's 60-64 age group in 46:30.

In addition to the 502 finishers in the 5 Kilometer Run, nearly two hundred youngsters took part in either the 440 yard Sprint or the 1/2 Mile Fun Run on the Middle School track that preceded the main event.

Among those on hand to wish the runners and walkers well were Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs. Oyster Bay Town Councilman Len Symons, himself an avid runner and proud member of the Greater Long Island Running Club, was on hand as a participant in the Run.

Vytra Health Plans was the title sponsor and other major sponsors included Woodbury Deli, North Fork Bank, Tucker Anthony, Camp Kenwall, McDonald's and Hunt-Liedtke Management Co., Inc.

"We are thrilled at the turnout for this year's Run," noted Race Director Eslick, and especially by the amazing turnout of kids to help other kids. If we can teach the youth of America to help each other, imagine what they will do for each other when they become adults. The youth of today is America's future tomorrow, and that's what 'Kids Helping Kids' and this event are all about!"