The Mineola Mustang Run was held on Sunday, Nov. 17 and although the community wasn't blessed with great weather as conditions were windy and rainy, the drops held off just long enough for the Mustang Run to take place.

The Mustang Run drew 838 registrants, just two less than last year, and most likely would have drawn more in better weather. However, a record $30,000 was raised, according to Mustang Run Committee Chairperson Linda Fairgrieve, to donate to the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Mineola Athletic Association, Mineola Police Athletic League, Mineola Auxiliary Police, Mineola Fire Department for life-saving equipment, Mineola Historical Society and Mineola Youth and Family Services with special donations to the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital and Parent and Child Education Program Inc. (PACE). The money will be distributed in various amounts to the beneficiaries in amounts to be determined by the Mustang Run Committee.

The winner of the 5K race for the men was Ron Malone of East Rockaway with a time of 16:25.10. For the women, it was Mineola's own Elizabeth Ratner with a time of 18:45.60.

Fittingly, in an event that was dedicated to the late Mineola Historical Society President Jack Hehman, who would always volunteer during the run, his son Ryan was the overall winner among Mineola residents, posting a time of 18:37.30.

In the one-mile Fun Run, the overal winner was James McFarlane of Ridgewood, New York with a time of 5:27.60. On the women's side, Jacqueline Saunders from Wyandanch finished with a time of 6:57.70. Erin Gaughran and Hannah Hinchcliffe of Mineola finished with time of 8:03.00 and 8:07.30 respectively.

Once again, the Mustang Run was a success and it could not have been possible without the dedicated volunteers such as Joyce Gorycki, who served as the director of fund-raising, and the sponsors who will be listed in the next issue of this newspaper.