The Mineola Mustang Run/Walk celebrated its 21st birthday on Nov. 20 with approximately 1,000 runners and walkers who participated in the 1-mile and 3.1-mile events. Over the years, this event has raised over $400,000, which has been donated back to the community.

"The Mustang Run has done much to improve the quality of life in the village through donations to various community organizations," said Mustang Run chairperson Linda Fairgrieve as she expressed her deep appreciation to the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, the hundreds of businesses who supported the event and the hundreds of volunteers who help the event take place each year in Mineola.

The overall winner of the 5K was Kevin Kiley of Mineola with a time of 16:37. The overall female winner of the 5K was Kathryn Martin from Northport with a time of 18:44. Other top finishers from Mineola included Michael Kiley, Thomas Oswald, Wilda Jimenez, who was the top Mineola female with a time of 25:28, Julie Ann Fahner and Pam Burgreen.

The names of the sponsors appeared in 7,000 journals, which were distributed throughout the village and to each participant. The names of the sponsors appeared on each of the 2,100 shirts, which are distributed to all runners, walkers and volunteers.

Funds from this year's event will be mainly distributed 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, Mineola Youth and Family Services, the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital and Parent and Child Education Program (PACE).

Numerous organizations and people helped make this event very successful including Mayor Jack Martins and Trustees Larry Werther, Paul Cusato and John DaVanzo, the village employees and superintendent of public works Tom Rini, Fire Chief Jack Gayson and the Mineola Fire Department, the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Mineola Chamber of Commerce President Carmela Bernacchio and the members of the chamber, Mineola Schools superintendent Dr. Larry Licopoli and the Mineola School Board, the Mineola School District and Team Mineola, the County Seat Kiwanis, the Mineola Knights of Columbus, Chief Mike Spae and the Mineola Auxiliary Police, Mineola Athletic Association, Mineola Historical Society, Mineola Police Athletic League, PACE, Mineola Teachers Association, members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), Nassau County Police Third Precinct, the Mineola High School track team, Boy Scout Troop 45, Cub Scout Pack 246 and the Girl Scouts. A great big thank you is extended to Greg Nold and Ron Clarke of Ron's 60 Minute Photo, located at 250 Jericho Turnpike for their excellent photography services donated free of charge.

The 22nd Mineola Mustang Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19. It will be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the village. Anyone wishing to help or be a sponsor can contact Linda Fairgrieve at 294-5914.