Plainview and Old Bethpage runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes of all ages and levels of ability are cordially invited to enter the 23rd annual Nationwide Insurance 10 Kilometer Run for ASPIRE, which is to be held on the roads of Plainview-Old Bethpage on Saturday morning, April 8.

The 2000 Nationwide Run for ASPIRE will begin and finish at the H.B Mattlin Middle School, located on Washington Avenue in Plainview. The starting gun will go off promptly at 9 a.m. There will also be a special 1/2 mile fun run for youngsters age 12 and under starting at 8:10 a.m. and a 10 Kilometer Racewalk starting at 9:05 a.m.

Runners from the Plainview-Old Bethpage community have always been prominent in the Run for ASPIRE. This year's edition of the run is once again dedicated to the memory of Stanley Kramberg, the Nationwide Insurance agent who devoted so much of his time, energy and money to the run and to the ASPIRE program generally over the past several years. Stan lost his courageous battle to cancer in the summer of 1997. The ASPIRE Run is being hosted once again by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with the assistance and support of the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Recreation and Parks. In addition to Nationwide Insurance, other support for the run is being provided by Vytra Health Plans, The Runner's Edge and Balance Bar. Race administrators have also welcomed a new sponsor: Trader Joe's and its new Plainview store.

"We are thrilled that a public spirited businessman like Tony Wiszowaty and the good people of Nationwide Insurance have chosen to support this important event once again in 2000," said Bob Windorf, who with Craig Courounis will be serving as the two co-directors of the run for the second year, "and we are pleased to welcome our friends from Vytra Health Plans back again, and the good folks from Trader Joe's as our newest sponsor. The Nationwide Insurance 10K Run for ASPIRE has traditionally been the first major event of the running calendar here on Long Island and thanks to the help of Nationwide, Trader Joe's, Vytra Health Plans, The Runner's Edge and Balance Bar, we expect to put on another great race in 2000."

Age group awards will be presented to the top three males and top three female finishers in each of 15 age groups through 80 and older, and the race committee expects to give out a full complement of awards in those higher age groups. In addition, special awards will be presented to the top three male and female wheelchair athletes, the top three male and female open race walkers, the top three male and female masters racewalkers and the top "Clydesdale" and "Filly" runners. Special recognition will also go to the top finishers among the many amputees from the ASPIRE program who participate. Special medals will be presented to each finisher in the Fun Run. The awards ceremony will be punctuated by a giant raffle, with all entrants eligible to win. Free massage from licensed massage therapists will be available for all participants.

Every entrant in both the 10K and the Fun Run will receive a special commemorative long sleeve T-shirt.

The entire net proceeds of the run will once again be donated to ASPIRE, the special program established in conjunction with Memorial Sloan Kettering and the Hospital for Special Surgery to provide prosthetic devices, intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation through athletics to young amputees, victims of sarcoma (bone cancer) and traumatic amputations.

This year's run will mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of the new ASPIRE Headquarters as part of a new complex in Manhasset that now provides for all needs of individuals who undergo amputations - prosthetics, physical therapy, sports medicine, outreach and group support - all in the same facility, and will continue the work of the new Stanley Kramberg Memorial ASPIRE Scholarship Fund that provides continued support for the education of the young people in the program. So in addition to enjoying a top quality running or walking experience, everyone who enters the Nationwide 10K will have the satisfaction of knowing that his or her entry fee will help promote the well-being of a bunch of youngsters who have suffered the tragedy of amputation.

The ASPIRE course was professionally laid out by David Katz of Finish Line Road Race Technicians, assisted by members of the Greater Long Island Running Club. It provides a dramatic combination of demanding hills and level straightaways through some of the most scenic roads in central Long Island, including a mile and a half stretch along Round Swamp Road, past the Old Bethpage Restoration Village.

The 2000 edition of the run will be part of the KeySpan Grand Prix of Long Island running, and will serve as Long Island Track & Field's 10 Kilometer Championship race for 2000.

The 1999 edition of the run was won by Don Di Donato of Hicksville, who outkicked Carlos Castro, Jr. of Levittown in the final strides. Regina Ronan of Northport repeated as women's champion for the third year in a row. The course record of 30:27 was set by Pat Peterson of Bay Shore in 1988 and Angela Hearn of New York City set the women's course record of 34:55 in 1989 and race officials feel that several potential 2000 entrants have a shot at those records.

The entry fee is $15 for those who register in advance ($13 for members of the Greater Long Island Running Club), and $20 for those who register on the day of the run. The fee for the Fun Run is $7 preregistered and $8 day of race. For entry forms or more information, call Greater Long Island Running Club President Mike Polansky at 349-7646, or visit the club's website at www.glirc.org. Online registration for the run will be available at www.activeUSA.com.