It's been several years since Kathy Franey Fleming has lived with her parents on Long Island but, whenever she returns to her local roots from her current home in Massachusetts, the former Massapequa High School speedster certainly appreciates the local running scene! This July 18, Kathy came back once again, and won the Vytra Health Plans Long Island Women's 5 Kilometer Run for the second year in a row.

It was a lot tougher this year than last year for Kathy, who overtook Lioudmila Alexeeff of Toronto in the final half mile and outkicked her by little more than a second to take Long Island bragging rights for 1998 -- and the $2000 first prize that went with the victory. Kathy was scored in 16:40 and Lioudmila in 16:41.

Third place honors went to Kenya's Milka Jepchirchir (16:55), who makes her current home in Ossining, New York, with Laura Baker (16:58) of Dorchester, Massachusetts finishing fourth. Regina Ronan of Northport was the first Long Island finisher, scoring in 5th place overall in 17:11.

Top Masters (age 40 and over) finisher was 40-year-old Diana Fitzpatrick of Larkspur, California, ninth overall in 18:07.

Donna McMahon of Farmingdale was the first member of the host Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club to cross the finish line, thereby winning the Paula Wunderlich Memorial Award. Donna was 14th overall in 18:44.

The Women's Run was once again sponsored by Vytra Health Plans, and Vytra's Donna Howard was on hand to welcome the more than 300 runners and walkers to the finish line at the Northside Elementary School in Farmingdale. Other sponsors included The Runner's Edge of Farmingdale, The Nutrition Warehouse, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Berkshire Mountain Spring Water, and The Glen Head Flower Shop (who donated a rose that was presented to every finisher). The Run was administered by the Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club, and POBRRC's Suzanne Vasata serving as the Race Director.

"We are thrilled at the performances turned in by Kathy, by Lioudmila, and by all the other women who crossed the finish line," noted Race Director Vasata. "As Long Island's only 'women's race', we pride ourselves on putting on a quality race for everyone, and with the continued support of Vytra and all our other fine sponsors, we look forward to doing so in the 16th annual Run in July of 1999."