Runners from the Massapequas and nearby communities are cordially invited to be part of the 14th annual edition of Long Island Blood Services Rob's Run, a 5 kilometer cross-country run which will be held on Sunday morning, Nov. 26 at Stillwell Woods Park in Syosset.

Rob's Run will once again be sponsored by Long Island Blood Services and will be conducted by the Greater Long Island Running Club under the direction of Race Director James Murray. Rob's Run includes both an individual and a team competition, and has become Long Island's premier cross-country event.

As in the past, Rob's Run is dedicated to the memory of Rob Lauterborn, an extraordinary human being, talented runner, and good friend, who was taken from us at far too young an age. The net proceeds of Rob's Run will once again be turned over to the ASPIRE Program for the rehabilitation of young amputees, victims of bone cancer and traumatic amputations.

Entry fees are $18 for those who preregister and $20 for those who wait until the day of the Run. (Those who donated a pint of blood at the Athletes for Life Summer Blood Drive get a free entry into Rob's Run) Everyone who registers is guaranteed one of the great long sleeve commemorative T-shirts that have been the trademark of Rob's Run over the years.

The run will start promptly at 9 a.m. on Nov. 26. Registration and number/shirt pickup will be at Syosset High School from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.

Rob's Run will once again feature a $250 team stipend to be awarded to the first place Men's Open, Women's Open, Men's Masters and Women's Masters teams (LITF member teams only).

Unique award plaques will be presented to the top three male and female individual finishers overall, and the top three male and top three female finishers in each of 14 five-year age groups ranging from 14 and under through 75 and over.

There will also be team awards, presented to the top three teams (four runners per team) in each of the following divisions: male, female and coed open, male, female and coed masters, male and female senior masters (all runners age 50 plus), middle school boys, middle school girls, high school boys, and high school girls. Enter as an individual or enter as part of a team.

Among the award winners in the 2005 edition of Rob's Run were John Grunert of Massapequa Park, who scored second in the 15-19 age group, Kristin Daly of Massapequa, who took third place among the women in the 20-24 age group, John Ndaly of Massapequa, the third place award winner in the 50-54 age group, and Howard Kestenbaum of Massapequa Park, who earned third place honors in the 70-74 age group.

For entry forms or more information, call Linda at the GLIRC office at 349-7646.