Runners from all over the New York Metropolitan area and beyond are cordially invited to put together teams to participate in the 21st annual Ocean to Sound Relay, on Sunday, Sept. 10.

The Relay brings the entire Long Island region together in an annual September tradition, with 150 teams of eight runners each traversing a 50- mile course that starts at 8 a.m. at Jones Beach State Park, heads north and east through Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa, Farmingdale and Old Bethpage before crossing into Huntington, hitting the Long Island Sound at Lloyd Harbor, returning to Nassau County via Cold Spring Harbor and Syosset, and then heading north again to a dramatic finish on the grounds of Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay.

Each runner on the team runs a leg of between five and seven miles.

Major portions of the second and third legs of the Relay traverse the Massapequas. For the Relay route, call the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.

Awards in this year's Relay will be presented to the top three male, female and coed open and masters teams, senior teams, law enforcement/firefighter teams, corporate teams, and physically challenged teams. There will also be a special award for the team that best captures the "Spirit of the Relay."

Awards aren't the real attraction for most teams, who will be competing for the fun of it, to enjoy a great day on the beautiful roads of Long Island, and to be there for "the best post-race party in the Northeast" at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park.

The entry fee is only $320 per team ($40 per runner) through Aug. 26, which covers entry into the race, a special commemorative shirt for each runner, and entry into the post-race party. The entry fee goes up to $360 after August 26, so get your entry in early.

The Relay is conducted under the auspices of the Greater Long Island Running Club, with GLIRC's Alan End serving as the Relay director. Technical assistance is provided by John Snitko of JMS Racing Services, with leg-by-leg scoring by the AMB timing system.

"Every local runner is most cordially invited to join us for the best single day of running on Long Island," said Relay Director Alan End. "The Relay is a great venue for team spirit, a terrific sense of camaraderie, and a unique opportunity for runners to get a real sense of the scenic beauties and diversity of Long Island. And the post-race party is something else. All in all, you are absolutely guaranteed to have a great day, and we hope that lots of our friends from the Massapequas will join us on Sept. 10."

For entry forms or info, call the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.