Town Supervisor John Venditto announced that on Saturday, Oct. 18, the Town of Oyster Bay will host the annual Supervisor's 5K Run, the official kick-off to the annual Oyster Festival in the hamlet of Oyster Bay.

"As most of you know, the Oyster Festival is a fantastic two-day event that attracts literally hundreds of thousands of people from all over the tri-state area to the hamlet," Venditto said. "The 5K race, which is open to men, women and child runners, as well as wheelchair athletes, is expected to attract more than 600 participants this year."

According to Venditto, the pre-registration fee, which is available through Oct. 17, is $14 for town residents and $16 for non-residents. The late registration and race day fee is $20. Both fees include a souvenir T-shirt.

"The race, which begins at 9 a.m. sharp in Theodore Roosevelt Park, will follow a route to Planting Fields Road and back to the starting point," Venditto said. "Awards will be presented to the top five male and female overall winners, the first place male and female Town of Oyster Bay residents, the oldest and youngest Town finishers, the top three winners in the wheelchair division, the top five males and females in various age groups, and the Clydesdale winners, both male and female.

"Anyone interested in competing in the Supervisor's 5K Run can request an application by calling the Town's Department of Parks at 797-4125," Venditto said. "This 5K Run is one of the best runs of the year, and I think it's safe to say, it is the only one followed by two full days of festivities and limitless oysters."

According to Venditto, the Supervisor's 5K Run is co-sponsored by the Town of Oyster Bay, the Greater Long Island Running Club, the State Bank of Long Island, KeySpan, South Shore Outdoor and Long Island Track and Field, and USA Track and Field.