The Greater Long Island Running Club will be offering two free events to the local running community over the next two weekends.

On Sunday, Feb. 28, starting at 8 a.m., the club is hosting its annual Winter Fun Run at The Runner's Edge on Main Street in Farmingdale. Runners are invited to cover their choice of a measured three, six or nine mile course over the roads of Farmingdale and Old Bethpage, and then return to The Runner's Edge for a bagels, juice and coffee brunch. Everyone who shows up will receive a free gift courtesy of The Runner's Edge, and the store has promised "the sale of all sales" on the morning of the Fun Run.

No entry fee, no entry form to fill out -- just show up a few minutes before 8 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 28 ready to run.

The following Saturday, March 6, starting at 10 a.m., the club is hosting its second annual Bethpage Park Trail Relay, with teams of three runners invited to take part in a 3 x 2 mile relay over the "runner friendly" trails of Bethpage State Park. Awards will be given to the top teams in the men's, women's and co-ed Open and Masters Divisions. (Co-Ed teams must include at least one woman, and all three members of Masters teams must be at least 40 years of age). Free refreshments (coffee, bagels, soup, homemade muffins and cookies will be supplied courtesy of Bill Whitcomb of Whitsons Caterers), and the club will be holding a random drawing for lots of valuable door prizes. It's a great morning, a great way for runners to introduce themselves to the fun of running trails, and absolutely free. The relay will start and finish at the Bethpage State Park picnic area.

Don't have a team? Just show up between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and we'll make every effort to put one together for you!

"We are very happy to offer these two low-key events to the Long Island running community free of charge," observed Club President Mike Polansky. "GLIRC is all about runners helping other runners, and we try to 'give back' to the runners whenever and wherever we can. Everyone is invited to join us on Feb. 28 and March 6 and just have some fun in running!"

For information about either the Feb. 28 Winter Fun Run or the March 6 Trail Relay, call the Greater Long Island Running Club office at 349-7646.