Runners and walkers of every age and ability are cordially invited to be part of the 11th annual edition of the Oyster Bay Town Supervisor's Oyster Festival 5 Kilometer Run to be held on Saturday morning, Oct. 17 as the kickoff event of this year's Oyster Festival. The run will start in Fireman's Field in Oyster Bay at exactly 9 a.m. on the morning of the 17th.

The event is being sponsored by the State Bank of Long Island and the Town of Oyster Bay and will be conducted under the direction of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club, with technical support provided by Finish Line Road Race Technicians, Vytra Healthcare will also be back as a sponsor for the third year. POBRRC President Mike Polansky will serve as the race director once again.

This year's Oyster Festival Run has been carefully planned to make sure that is a "fun" event for the entire family and everyone is urged to stick around and enjoy the Oyster Festival after the run.

Distinctive commemorative T-shirts will be given to everyone who registers, and all registrants will be eligible for the massive door prize drawing that will take place at the awards ceremony. Awards will be presented to the top five male and top five female finishers overall, the top five male and female finishers in each of 14 five year age groups (through 75 and older), the top three wheelchair finishers, and the top five male and female racewalkers, and the top Clydesdale runners in two male and two female weight divisions.

The entry fee for the run will be $14 for those who preregister ($13 for residents of the Town of Oyster Bay), and $16 for those who wait until the day of the run to register. Post-registration and number and T-shirt pickup will be at the Roosevelt Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the run. The run will start promptly at 9 a.m.

"This is a great run and a terrific challenge for local recreational athletes," observed Race Director Mike Polansky. "The hills around Oyster bay are a stunning venue for an early morning run in October, and we are looking for a crisp, clear autumn morning that will make it possible for everyone to have an enjoyable run. We are very much appreciative of the Town of Oyster bay and its fine department of recreation and parks, to the wonderful folks from State Bank of Long Island for making this event a reality once again this year, and to our "junior" sponsor Vytra Healthcare in its third year of involvement with the run. We hope that every runner and walker on Long Island will join us here in Oyster Bay for a great morning run¬and will stick around to enjoy the Oyster Festival afterwards. The Oyster Festival Run is what running and racing on Long Island can¬and should¬be all about!"

For entry forms or more information about the Oyster Festival Run, call Mike at the Road Runners Club at 349-7646.