Thanks to the kindness of Mother Nature in providing Long Island with a great stretch of December weather, the 19th annual Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run, held on the roads of Bethpage on December 16, was a tremendous success.

There were 1,184 finishers in the 5K Run and more than 50 youngsters in the 1/4 Mile Fun Run that preceded the main event.

The net result is that several local charities, including the "Bretton Bowl" fund for needy Bethpage families, the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, and the Tender Loving Care Foundation for premature infants, will each receive substantial contributions.

In addition, the generous toy donations by the participants will allow many disadvantaged children to have a more festive holiday through the Greater Long Island Running Club's partnership with Mercy First.

Special congratulations to the award winners from the Massapequas. Alan Mogarevo of North Massapequa earned top honors in the 50-54 age group with a time of 19:37, and fellow North Massapequan Jay Byrne took the 3rd place award in that same age group in 19:57.

Karen Conkling of Massapequa took third-place honors among the women in the 40-44 age group in a time of 20:24. Kevin Healy of Massapequa Park earned 3rd place in the 55-59 age group in 21:36. Kerry Ann Massett of Massapequa Park was a convincing winner in the women's 55-59 age group in 23:37.

Special thanks go once again to title sponsor Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt, and to our presenting sponsor Retail, Wholesale & Chain Store Food Employees Union, Local 338, for their generous contributions. Without sponsors it would be impossible to produce a race with this many participants and to maintain the high quality standards required to make the race a success. Thanks as well to Whole Foods Market, Kozy Shack Pudding, and Shop Rite for the generous donations of fruit, puddings, and soda that helped made the post-race refreshments so good. Special thanks go to race directors Joe Sturgess and Bob Sherman, and to all the Greater Long Island Running Club volunteers who continuously and willingly donate their time. It is these volunteers who provide the needed efforts to ensure that everyone enjoys participating in a GLIRC event.