Runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes from the Massapequas, of all ages and levels of ability, are invited to join with David Lerner Associates and the Greater Long Island Running Club for the 17th annual David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation Run, to be held on Thursday evening, June 26 at Eisenhower Park.

The entire net proceeds will once again be turned over to the special Police Crisis Fund that has been established to aid Nassau and Suffolk County law enforcement officers and their families in time of emergency. In the 15 years of its existence, the Fund has distributed nearly $150,000 to local police officers and their families.

The entry fee for the Run is $18 for those who enter in advance ($15 for members of the Greater Long Island Running Club), and $20 for those who enter on the day of the Run. All youngsters age 16 and younger that preregister are entitled to take a 50 percent discount off their entry fee.

All entrants will receive special 17th anniversary commemorative giveaways. Awards will be presented to the top three male runners and the top three female runners in each of 14 (5 year) age groups, ranging from 14 and under to 75 and over, as well as to the top wheelchair racers. Special awards will also be presented in the "Law Enforcement" Division to the top 3 open male, open female, masters (age 40 and over) male and masters female law enforcement officers to cross the finish line.

The Greater Long Island Running Club is once again joining forces with the Downey family to provide special "Bravest/Finest" Awards to the Open and Masters Male and Female runners with the fastest combined times in our David Lerner Associates Police Appreciation 5K Run on June 26 and the Deputy Chief Raymond Downey "Forever Running" Memorial 5K Run on June 15. Join in to support our "Finest" and our "Bravest."

The Club and David Lerner Associates are hoping for a large turnout to show their appreciation for the police - and to provide much needed funding for the Police Crisis Fund.

"Runners have a special reason for saying thank you to our law enforcement officers, " noted Race Director Ira Eskow. "Without the enthusiastic support of County and local police departments, road racing as we know it in Nassau and Suffolk Counties could simply not exist. But whether you are a runner or not, everyone owes a tremendous debt to the outstanding men and women who make up Long Island's police forces. They truly are 'Long Island's Finest,' and we join with the generous folks at David Lerner Associates in looking for a big outpouring of people from the Massapequas and all over the New York Metropolitan area on June 26 to show them just how much they are appreciated."