Nearly 10,000 runners, walkers and spectators were on hand to welcome in the new year and the new millennium in Central Park with the annual Midnight 5 Kilometer Run co-sponsored by the New York Road Runners Club, Runner's World magazine and Asics Running Shoes, and Long Island was most definitely in the forefront of things.

The 5 Kilometer run is preceded by a costume parade and contest that features some of the most imaginative and impressive costumes possible, and none was more imaginative or more impressive than the "Bridge to the New Millennium' created and staged by the Greater Long Island Running Club. The Club's Bridge, made of wood and plasterboard, was 88 feet long, was peopled by nearly 100 club members, carried its own lighting, and even included its own toll plaza!

The GLIRC entry totally overwhelmed the crowd at Central Park...and the judges as well. The club's entry took first place overall (and the $2,000 prize that went with it)! This is the third New Year's that the club has taken top honors in the Midnight Run - previous winning entries included the Long Island Railroad and the Crayola Crayons.

Congratulations and thanks to GLIRC's Roger Loberto and Vinny Croce, who were the prime architects and engineers of this massive project. Thanks to Roger and Vinny, Long Island can take special pride in making its presence felt in Central Park once again this year!