Who says there can't be anything new for runners on Long Island?

Any Farmingdale and Massapequa runners who are looking for a great new running experience are invited to come to Bethpage State Park on Sunday, Oct. 29, for the inaugural Run for Their Lives 8 Kilometer Cross Country Run. It promises to be an exhilarating morning of running through the beautiful (and runner friendly!) cross country trails that abound in the park. The starting gun for the 8K will go off at the Polo Fields in the park at precisely 9 a.m.

The 8K Run will serve as the Long Island Track & Field Cross Country Championship for 2000, and $100 will be awarded to the top male and top female Open and Masters finishers who are members of LITF. There will be snazzy awards to the top three male and female finishers in each of 13 five-year-age group through 75 and over, plus the top three male and female Clydesdales in each of two weight divisions,.

The entire net proceeds will go to benefit the North Shore Animal League America, which is a non-profit humane society dedicated to find the best possible home for orphaned animals (even blind, deaf or otherwise disabled pets), and The Alex Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center, a full service medical facility for the needy animals of North Shore Animal League America.

The primary sponsor of the run is the Veterinary Centers of America, with additional support being provided by the American Veterinary Supply Corporation, Pfizer, Merial and Bob's Stores.

Every 8K finisher will get a top quality T-shirt. There will be terrific post-run refreshments.

Race administration and management will be handled by the Greater Long Island Running Club, and timing and course measurement are being done by Ed Melnik of The Big Finish.

The entry fee for the 8 Kilometer Run is only $17 for those who register in advance ($16 for members of Long Island Track and Field or the Greater Long Island Running Club), and $20 for those who wait till the day of the run to register. All 8K registrants are guaranteed T-shirts. The entry fee for the 3 and 4 Kilometer Runs is $6 for those who register in advance ($5 for LITF and GLIRC members), and $7 for those who wait till the day of the Race to register.

"Cross Country running in the Fall is an experience that can't be duplicated, and the runner friendly trails of Bethpage State Park provide the perfect venue for enjoying that experience," said GLIRC Vice President Mindy Davidson, who will serve as the coordinator of volunteers for the run for their lives. "It's a great opportunity for running the 8K and then sticking around to cheer the youngsters on at the finish of the 3K and the 4K."

For entry forms or information about the run for their lives call the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.