The 9th annual Salomon Smith Barney North American Wheelchair Championship Race, which attracted the best wheelchair athletes from all over the world to compete on the roads of Farmingdale in June of 2000, was recently welcomed Good Samaritan Hospital as a "rookie" sponsor of the race this year. Race organizers have every expectation that the hospital will be playing an even bigger role in the 10th annual race in 2001.

Wheelchair Championship Race Director Nick Katsounis, a resident of Massapequa, and Greater Long Island Running Club President Mike Polansky made a trip over the hospital in Bay Shore last month to personally thank hospital officials for their support, to present them with race shirts as well as a special lucite plaque to commemorate their support for the 2000 race, and to discuss plans for Good Sam's support in 2001. Discussions are underway which would result in the hospital becoming the sponsor of the highly competitive Junior Division of the race next year.

"We are thrilled to have Good Samaritan Hospital play a role in the Wheelchair Championship Race," said Race Director Nick Katsounis. "It is entirely fitting that a hospital so named, a hospital that holds out its helping hand to those in need here on Long Island, extends that helping hand to an event conducted by and for wheelchair athletes. We very much appreciate the fact that the wonderful people at Good Sam have chosen to be a part of our race."