A record-breaking 580 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes crossed the finish line at Fireman's Field in Oyster Bay, as lots of local athletes were part of the crowd at the 13th annual Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor's Oyster Festival 5 Kilometer Run on Saturday morning, Oct. 16.

Highlighting the morning for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community was the presentation of a special award to 8-year-old Philip Eslick of Old Bethpage, who was presented with a special award as the youngest resident of the Town of Oyster Bay to successfully complete the run. Philip has been participating in the Oyster Festival Run for six years, having first done the course with his dad at the tender age of three! Oyster Bay Town Councilman Len Symons, a resident of Plainview and a proud member of the host Greater Long Island Running Club, successfully completed the run once again this year, completing the course in 27 minutes, 40 seconds.

The run was once again sponsored by State Bank of Long Island, one of the local area's strongest supporters of running, fitness, and recreational sports generally. State Bank Vice President Mary Durkin was on hand to welcome the participants to the finish line. The run was administered once again by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with GLIRC President Mike Polansky serving as the race director. David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians served as the technical director.

Also on hand for the finish was Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, working very hard to enhance the town's well deserved reputation as "the recreational sports capital of the northeast."

Other local officials who showed their support for the local running community by their presence were Town Councilman Tony Altimari, Town Councilman Marty Massell, Town Clerk Fanny Corsentino, Receiver of Taxes Jack O'Leary, New York State Assemblyman David Sidikman and Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs.

"What a wonderful, wonderful day in Oyster Bay," enthused Race Director Mike Polansky. "Oyster Bay is a beautiful place, and October shows it off at its best! We have heard nothing but rave reviews from all the runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes who showed up to kick off the Oyster Festival by running five kilometers."