On Sunday morning, Nov. 21, the Mineola Mustang Run/Walk will take place for the 20th time as those associated with the village's biggest fund raiser over the years will celebrate 20 years of raising money to support the residents of the village.

This year, Mineola Mustang Run Chairperson Linda Fairgrieve has formed a partnership with the Mineola School District. Superintendent of Schools for the Mineola Schools Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli said the district wants to give something back for the community's support of the district. The district has pledged the Mineola High School Marching Band and is getting together a team of students, staff members and faculty, called "Team Mineola" to compete in the race.

It's appropriate that the Mineola School District is taking part in the Mustang Run/Walk. The run began in 1980 as a fund raiser because the school district's budget had failed.

In May, 1980, voters rejected the proposed Mineola School District budget by a 1,632 to 508 margin. The board of education then adopted an austerity budget of $16,018,300, which was $400,000 less than the proposed budget.

After the austerity budget was adopted, a group called the Mustang Activities Coalition (MAC) was formed to raise money to support extracurricular activities for Mineola students.

On Nov. 9, 1980, over 800 runners participated in the 5-Mile Run and 1-Mile Fun Run, sponsored by the Mustang Activities Coalition. Runners and joggers came from a wide geographic area to participate with over 100 coming from Mineola. Mineola's top three male finishers were Mike Cahill, Buddy Doyle and Dennis Pannuto and Mineola's top three female finishers were Margie Cash, Madele Connell and Denise Bua.

Those credited for organizing the event were Bill Kruse, Scott Fairgrieve, Dan Carolin and Peter Kreytak with over 100 volunteers helping out.

Now, 24 years later, the Mineola Mustang Run is celebrating its 20th anniversary since for some years the event was not held. Much has remained the same since 1980, although the beneficiaries of the race's proceeds have changed.

This year, the race will once again benefit 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, Mineola Youth and Family Services, Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital and Parent and Child Education Program Inc. (PACE).

Although the beneficiaries of last year have not changed, the race's course has changed. The start for the 5K run will be the corner of Simonson and Garfield. Participants will then proceed east to Marcellus Road, north to Jackson Avenue, east to Horton Highway, south to 1st Avenue, west to Wardwell, north to Jericho Turnpike, east to Wellington Road, south to Garfield, west to Beebe, north to Jackson Avenue, east to the finish, which will be the light pole opposite the main entrance to Chaminade High School at Jackson Avenue.

The 1-mile Fun Run will start at the east cut of the west driveway of the Mineola Middle School parking lot on Garfield, east of Emory Road. Participants will head east on Garfield to Marcellus, north to Jackson, east to Horton, south to Garfield, west to Emory, north to Jackson, east to the finish, which is the same as the 5K run.

The Fun Run will begin at 9 a.m. and the 5K race will begin at 10 a.m. Check-in is at 8 a.m. at Mineola Middle School.

To register for the event, pick up a registration form or register online at www.mineolamustangrun.com.

Linda Fairgrieve is hopeful that the Mustang Run/Walk, which has grown in status so that it is part of the Vytra Grand Prix Series, will attract 1,200 participants. She is encouraging more Mineola participants since the money raised will stay in the community. For those who may not be able to run, walking is also encouraged.

Volunteers are also urgently needed. If you are able to volunteer on Sunday morning, Nov. 21, call Linda Fairgrieve at 294-5914.