The first annual Lovenox Five Mile Race for Cardiac Wellness was held in Hicksville's Cantiague Park on Sunday morning, Oct. 31, and a large contingent of runners from Farmingdale and the Massapequas did themselves very proud.

Top local finisher 22-year-old Daniel Bilawsky of Massapequa, who finished in 30 minutes, 30 seconds (a pace of 6:06 per mile) to take second place honors in the men's 20-24 age group. Top local woman finisher in the Lovenox Race was 43-year-old Patty Zebersky of Farmingdale. Patty, who serves as the cross country coach for Hofstra University, was the third woman finisher overall, with a time of 31 minutes, 24 seconds, a pace of 6:16 per mile. Right behind Patty was 51-year-old Kieran Kelly of Massapequa, scoring third in the men's 50-54 age group in 31:30. Laura Gluf of Massapequa was the sixth woman overall and second in the 30-34 age group in 32:36, followed closely by Jean Bohan of Farmingdale, 7th woman overall and 3rd in the 30-34 age group in 32:42. Seventy-seven-year-old Bill Merz of Massapequa scored in 2nd place in the 75 and over age group in 52:05.

Other local finishers in the Levonox 5 Mile Race included Gary Paperno of Massapequa Park (32:12), Anita Von Himmel of Massapequa (39:41), Daniel Cacace of Massapequa (39:46), Lisa Scudera of Massapequa Park (40:30), Michael Farrelly of Massapequa Park (41:22), Vera Thompson of Massapequa (41:43), Sherry Bellovin of North Massapequa (43:38), Norman Hershkowitz of Massapequa (45:58), Warren Drezen of Massapequa (48:10), John Niesen of Massapequa Park (49:05), Howard Kestenbaum of Massapequa Park (49:36), Robert Voce of Farmingdale (56:50), and Ellen Shapiro of Farmingdale (58:22). There were a total of 369 finishers overall.

The Lovenox Five Mile Race was sponsored by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the makers of Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) injection. Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) has been added as a recommendation in the 1999 update of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association practice guidelines. It is the only low molecular weight heparin to have been proven superior to unfractionated heparin for the prevention of ischemic complications of Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave MI. Rhone-Poulenc Rorer is donating the entire net proceeds of the race to the American Heart Association.

"We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response of the Long Island running community to the Lovenox Five Mile Race for Cardiac Wellness," said Rhone-Poulenc Rorer spokesperson Christine J. Rice. "Our organization has been a National Sponsor for the American Heart Association, and we are looking to strengthen our commitment to include more emphasis on a community-based level. We are confident that this race will help us all take strides toward the major goal of cardiac wellness, and we offer our sincere congratulations and thanks to all our friends from Farmingdale and the Massapequas who were a part of this most important event."

The Lovenox Race was part of the 1999 KeySpan Grand Prix of Long Island Long Distance Running, administered by Long Island Track and Field. In honor of the occasion, KeySpan presented the American Heart Association with a check for $1,000.

The race was managed by the Greater Long Island Running Club under the direction of Club President Mike Polansky. Technical direction was provided by David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians. Scoring was by the new "ChampionChip System."

Among those distinguished guests who were on hand to present the awards to the runners and walkers were Dr. Stanley Katz, chairman of the Division of Cardiology at North Shore University Hospital, Dr. Andrew E. Sama, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at North Shore University Hospital, and New York State Assemblyman Mark Herbst. Dr. Katz participated in the race, finishing the five miles in an excellent time of 43:14. Oyster Bay Town Councilman Leonard B. Symons was also a participant in the race, crossing the finish line in a creditable 46:42.