The worst weather conditions of the winter hit Long Island just hours before the start of the inaugural Kings Park 15 Kilometer Run on March 22, but the snow, ice and wind didn't deter the 493 runners who successfully completed the race -- and most definitely didn't deter Carlos Castro, Jr. of Levittown or Helen Visgauss of Port Jefferson Station, who were the first man and woman respectively to cross the finish line.

The 29 year-old Castro, who runs competitively for the Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club's men's racing team, finished in 52 minutes, 42 seconds, a full minute ahead of his nearest rivals, Billy Fettig of Kings Park (53:44) and John McKim of Kings Park (54:05). The 42-year-old Visgauss crossed the finish line in 1:03:19, a 21 second margin over 35-year-old Doreen Isenberg of Northport (1:03:43), with Nancy Katz-Johnson of Smithtown third in 1:10:10.

It was only the second venture into Suffolk County for the host Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club, which previously staged the South Shore Spring in Bay Shore last November, and it certainly was a success -- notwithstanding the late arrival of old man winter here on Long Island at just the wrong time.

In addition to the difficulties caused by the weather, the hills of Kings Park very much took their toll of the runners, on a course that included long uphill stretches on Sunken Meadow Road, Landing Road, St. Johnland Road, and a last uphill mile on Old Dock Road to the finish at the W.T. Rogers Middle School. "This course was almost too tough to race," Jim Walsh of Plainview was heard to say as he crossed the finish line.

The run was staged by the Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club, Long Island's largest running club, with the entire net proceeds being turned over to the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation. Sponsors included the Long Island law firm of Rivkin, Radler & Kremer, with additional support being provided by The Runners Edge, and such local businesses as Provenzano's Kings Park Garden Center and the Upper Deck Bar & Grill. The race was directed by Road Runners Club Vice President Don Butchin, with an assist from Craig Courounis and from Mary Ellen Stajk of Kings Park, who served as the community relations consultant.