An errant turn along the way turned the 12th annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run from a 3.1 mile run into a 3.95 miler, but the extra distance didn't faze many of the 1,182 finishers in Bethpage's annual celebration of the holiday season for the Long Island running community. The Greater Long Island Running Club combined with primary Run sponsor Mobile Eight Apparel Corporation and its On The Brink line of sportswear, Grubb & Ellis Realty, and the Town of Oyster Bay to help local runners enjoy a great morning of family fun and fitness on the roads of Bethpage.

Three runners -- 32-year-old Ron Malone of Long Beach, 30-year-old Robis DeGirmenci of Syosset, and 19-year-old Michael Nehr of West Babylon -- crossed the finish line at Bethpage High School together, to share first place honors in 21:17. Donna McMahon of Farmingdale led the female runners in 23:08. Local award winners included Lori Harfenes Melnik of Plainview, who was the second place woman in the 40-44 age group and Celeste Harkins of Plainview, third finisher in the women's 65-69 age group.

Nearly 100 younger runners (age 12 and under) were part of the 1/4 mile Fun Run on the Bethpage High School track that preceded the main event.

But the story of the day wasn't as much individual performances but the kind of holiday spirit that pervaded the morning. A team from the College Point Road runners ran as eight shepherds and eight sheep, The Runners Edge team showed up to run as Santa's reindeer, Three Wise Men were out on the roads, as well as assorted Rudolphs, elves, Santas and other runners attired in a holiday manner.

Ed Kovesdy of the Greater Long Island Running Club served as the race director, with David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians serving as the technical director. David was especially instrumental in remeasuring the course and adjusting the scoring when it was learned that the runners had gone off course.

Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano served as the official starter that sent the runners on their way down Cherry Avenue. Oyster Bay Town Councilman Len Symons was among the competitors, scoring in 590th place overall in 35:02.

The net proceeds of the 1999 Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run will be turned over to the Bretton Bowl Fund for the needy families of Bethpage, and the ASPIRE program for the rehabilitation of young amputees, victims of bone cancer and traumatic amputations.

"We were thrilled by the turnout today, and both proud and pleased to have been able to utilize Bethpage as the venue for this wonderful celebration of the holiday season," observed Race Director Ed Kovesdy. "We apologize for the course error, and hope that everyone had a great morning in spite of it! Our club wishes the happiest and healthiest of holiday seasons to everyone!"