A special invitation has been issued to runners and walkers from the Massapequas and Farmingdale to join in a morning of festive family fun and fitness at the 13th annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5 Kilometer Run, to be held on the roads of Bethpage on Sunday morning, Dec. 17.

The Run will be conducted under the auspices of the Greater Long Island Running Club with Nutrition Warehouse and Vitamin World providing the primary financial support, along with the Huntington-based Grubb and Ellis Realty ("Property Solutions Worldwide").

Registration will take place at Bethpage High School on Cherry Avenue in Bethpage from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. on the morning of the 17th and the starting gun for the 5K run will go off promptly at 9:30 a.m. There will also be a 1/4-mile fun run for youngsters 10 and under starting at 8:45 a.m., with awards presented to all competitors.

The 5 Kilometer course will take the runners on a scenic winter tour through the Bethpage community and then back again to the finish line at the high school for beautiful holiday refreshments. In addition to the water station at the halfway point, there will be a nonalcoholic eggnog station in keeping with the holiday spirit. All runners and walkers are encouraged to come in costume and there will be a gala "costume parade" with prizes for the best costumes, starting at 9 a.m.

Awards will be given to the top male and female finisher overall in the 5K Run; plus the top three male and female finishers in each of 14 5-year age groups (through age 75 and over); the top three male and female finishers in each of two "Clydesdale" weight categories; and the first three male and female wheelchair competitors. Everyone who enters the 5 kilometer run will receive a special commemorative Ho Ho Ho Run shirt. Walkers are most definitely invited to join in the fun!

The official race starter will be none other than Santa Claus, who will be taking time out from preparations for his own "Holiday Run" to join the Bethpage festivities. Jack Frost, Rudolph, several of Santa's elves and assorted other special guests are expected to be on hand for the fun.

The entire net proceeds of the event will be split between the "Bretton Bowl" fund for needy families of Bethpage and ASPIRE, the special program for the rehabilitation of young people who have suffered the loss of a leg to bone cancer and traumatic amputations.

Everyone who is participating in the run is encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to registration on the morning of Dec 17. The toys will be distributed to children in the pediatric wards of nearby hospitals.

The 5K entry fee is $17 for those who register by Dec. 8; $20 for those who register between Dec. 9 and Dec. 16; and $25 for those who register on the day of the run. The 1/4-mile fun run for the kids is free.

Runners from Farmingdale and the Massapequas have always been prominent in the Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run. In the 1999 edition of the run, Donna McMahon of Farmingdale was the first female finisher overall, and Kristin Daly, Roger Williams, Ruth Joyce and Kieran Kelly of Massapequa, Katrina Panasuk and Dennis Bujacich of Massapequa Park and Gregory Carman of Farmingdale all took home age group or other divisional awards.

"The Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run is much more than just another road race," said new Race Directors Bob Sherman and Joe Stutgess of the Running Club. "Were putting on a special holiday event that is a celebration of the season for runners, walkers and their families. It will, once again, be an enjoyable morning to start the holiday season right, with lots of wholesome fun for everyone, an opportunity for the kids to be part of the fun and with the proceeds going to two most important causes. We very much hope to see as many of our friends as possible from the Massapequas, Farmingdale and elsewhere join us for a great event!"

For entry forms or more information, call the Running Club at 349-7646.