Athletes from the Massapequas are invited to enter the 20th anniversary Runner's Edge - TOBAY Triathlon, Long Island's largest triathlon, and the most athlete friendly--multisport event in the country. Up to 1,500 athletes representing ten States and the District of Columbia participated in the 2006 edition of the Tri, and an equally big turnout is expected for 2007.

The date is Sunday, August 19, the place is Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, and the distances are a 1 Kilometer Swim in Oyster Bay Harbor, a 15 Kilometer Bike through Oyster Bay Cove, and a 5 Kilometer Run up to the Planting Fields Arboretum, and back to the finish at Roosevelt Park.

The event is dedicated to the memory of Gerald Kaufman, one of the founding members of the Greater Long Island Running Club, triathlete and good friend, who suffered a fatal heart attack last December.

The Runner's Edge-TOBAY Triathlon will be conducted under the auspices of the Town of Oyster Bay and its Department of Parks and Recreation, with The Runner's Edge running and multisport specialty store in Farmingdale signing on as the new corporate title sponsor, and Commercial Envelope Manufacturing Co., Inc. joining in as the new corporate presenting sponsor. The event will be managed by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with Jose Lopez and Ray Farrell serving as the co-Directors.

The Runner's Edge-TOBAY Triathlon gives athletes an opportunity to have some fun and do some good at the same time, since major portions of the proceeds of the great event will be distributed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Oyster Bay based Friends of the Bay, and the new Gerald Kaufman Memorial Fund, whose sole purpose is to provide assistance to local athletes and their families in times of personal financial emergency.

Athletes from the Massapequas have always played a major role in the Runner's Edge - TOBAY Triathlon.

In the 2006 edition of the Tri, the list of award winners included Robert Boylan of Massapequa, who was the 4th Masters (age 40 plus) finisher, Michael Di Donato of Massapequa, who scored first in the 19 and under age group, Karen Conkling of Massapequa who earned top honors among the women in the 40-44 age group, Lorraine Heuther of Massapequa, who scored first in the women's 50-54 age group, Michael Doherty of Massapequa, who scored third in the 45-49 age group, and Kari Tabag of Massapequa, who was the second finisher in the Women's 160 pound plus "Athena" Weight Division.

In addition, the Runner's Edge-TOBAY Triathlon Clinic will be held on Thursday May 17. This an opportunity for first or second time triathletes, or for anyone else who wants a heads up on how to do the best race possible on August 19. The Clinic will be held in the Auditorium of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, starting at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free.

Younger athletes can now join in on the fun at the Runner's Edge-TOBAY Triathlon, as Saturday August 18 will be the date for the 3rd annual Runner's Edge-TOBAY Junior Triathlon for youngsters ages 8 through 13 - a 200 yard swim, 2.5 mile bike, and 1 mile run, all within the friendly confines of Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay. There will be medals for all finishers.

The entry fee will be $20. The race is limited to 200 youngsters.

The entry fee for the Runner's Edge-TOBAY Triathlon is $45 if you register by May 31, which is reduced to $35 if you are a resident of the Town of Oyster Bay. The entry fee jumps to $55 on June 1 and $70 after June 30 (less $10 for TOBAY residents).

For more info and/or entry booklet call the Greater Long Island Running Club office at 349-7646. You can also register online at www.glirc.org.