Nearly 500 runners were on hand in Eisenhower Park June 7 for the 10th annual edition of the David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation Run--the Long Island running community's way of saying "thank you" to the outstanding men and women of the local police forces in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Runners from the Massapequas were especially prominent in the Run. Twenty-six-year-old Will Hansler of Massapequa was the third runner overall to cross the finish line, and took top honors in the Law Enforcement Division in 16:31. Ruth Joyce of Massapequa was the first female finisher in the Law Enforcement Division in 23:15, beating out second place finisher and fellow Massapequan Theresa Shortell for the top spot.

Other Massapequa area runners winning awards in this year's Run were Ray Birney of Massapequa Park, who scored third in the 30-34 age group in 19:00, Gerard Ford of Massapequa, third place finisher in the 40-44 age group in 19:24, and 68-year-old Walther McCarthy of Massapequa, third place in the 65-69 age group in 25:44.

"The performances of the Massapequa athletes were part of a tremendous outpouring of support from Long Island runners for the Long Island Police Crisis Fund that helps local police officers and their families in times of personal financial emergency," said Mike Polansky, president of the Greater Long Island Running Club. "The entire net proceeds of the Run went to this most important fund, and it was gratifying to see so many local runners out to say "thank you" for all the fine work done by "Long Island's Finest."

The Police Run was once again sponsored by the investment firm of David Lerner Associates, and conducted by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with GLIRC's Ira Eskow once again serving as the Race Director. David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians was the technical director once again, with scoring by ChampionChip.

"We were delighted by the fine turnout once again this year," said Eskow. "The police always go that extra mile for Long Island, so we are happy to go 5 Kilometers to support them. Our special thanks to Will, Ruth and all the other runners from the Massapequas and the rest of Long Island who were part of the run this year."