Weather can make all the difference in the world in a cross-country run, and what a difference there was between the 12th annual edition of Rob's Run on Nov. 28, 2004 and this year's 13th edition of the event. Whereas last year's run featured 30 mile an hour winds and freezing rain, this year's edition on Nov. 27 turned out to be one of the most beautiful days of autumn, and a field of 524 intrepid cross-country runners showed up to enjoy a picture-perfect morning of running 5 kilometers through the trails of Stillwell Woods in Syosset.

Top finishers in this year's Run included 29-year-old Trisha Slavincha of East Norwich, who was the second woman overall to cross the finish line, scoring in 19 minutes, 19 seconds, only 8 seconds out of first place, 34-year-old Nicole Bertrami of East Norwich, who finished as the first woman overall in the 30-34 age group in 22:54, and 37 year old Jean Bohan of Oyster Bay, first woman in the 35-39 age group in 20:45.

There was no sophomore jinx for second year Race Director Jim Murray of the host Greater Long Island Running Club, who did another outstanding job putting together the pieces.

Thanks go to Long Island Blood Services for their sponsorship of the Run once again. Thanks also go to the Syosset School District for lending the use of the facilities at Syosset High School for packet pickup and the Awards Ceremony, to Oyster Bay town supervisor and the staff of the town's Department of Parks and Recreation for their support, and for all the enthusiastic volunteers from the Greater Long Island Running Club for ensuring the success of the event.

We were pleased to welcome Eddie Lauterborn of Oyster Bay and his son Rob to the Run once again this year. The Run is conducted in the memory of Eddie's brother Rob, an outstanding runner and wonderful human being, who left us far too soon 13 years ago.

Hold the date for next year - Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 and the 14th annual edition of Rob's Run!