Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run a Huge Success

A record breaking field of 1,238 runners and walkers crossed the finish line at the John F. Kennedy Middle School on Broadway in Bethpage, as the local running community celebrated the 10th edition of the Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5 Kilometer Run on Saturday morning, Dec. 20.

The youngsters get started on the 1/4 mile fun run.

Mike Guastella of New York City finished in 15 minutes flat to outkick Woodbury speedster Mike Anderson (15:05) and take first place overall, and new Massapequa resident Dina Alborano (17:26) won top honors among the women. Top Masters finishers (age 40 plus) were 45-year-old Paul Mascali of Manhasset (15:56) and 46-year-old Kathy Martin of Northport (18:12). Joe Mendez of Brentwood led the Wheelchair Division in 15:10.

However, the real story of the day was not the speedsters in the front of the pack, but the record numbers of fun runners in the middle and back of the pack who came to Bethpage to help the host Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club celebrate the holiday season with gusto. Many were in costume - elves, reindeers, Santas, three "wise women," a bunch of toy soldiers, a couple of Christmas trees and even a fireplace. Many brought their youngsters for the 1/4 mile "fun run" that preceded the main event. Virtually all were there for a morning of festive fun and fitness that added a perfect touch to the local holiday season.

For the second year in a row, the Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run was sponsored by Frontier ("...What Communications Is Coming to"), and a large contingent of runners from Frontier were there to participate in the run. The Town of Oyster Bay was, as usual, quite supportive. Town Councilman Len Symons, who is a member of the Road Runners Club, completed the 3.1 mile course, and newly elected Town Supervisor John Venditto was on hand to welcome the runners across the finish line. The run was once again administered by the Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club, with POBRRC's Ed Kovesdy serving as the race director.

Proceeds of the Run were dedicated to the ASPIRE Program for the rehabilitation of young amputees and the Bretton Bowl Fund established by the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce to help needy local families in the holiday season.

"Hey, what a great day!" enthused race director Kovesdy. "The weather was perfect, the turnout was wonderful and the Bethpage community is a friendly place to hold an event of this kind. Thanks to everyone who showed up this morning, and we hope to see you back in Bethpage again on Dec. 21!"