They are the fringe, the extremists, the folks at (and beyond) the outer limits of the running community, but for those who want to test themselves beyond the marathon distance of 26 miles, 385 yards that marks the ultimate accomplishment for most runners, the "ultramarathon" is what gets their juices flowing.

Literally, an ultramarathon is any race in excess of the marathon distance, but in practice the "shortest" ultramarathon distance is 50 Kilometers, and the most popular distance after that is 50 miles. On Saturday, May 20, those who strive to go those extra miles are invited to test their endurance by participating in the 6th annual Long Island Endurance Runs.

The program will include a 50 Kilometer (31 mile) Run and a 50 Mile Run, both of which will start and finish at "Fireman's Field" in Oyster Bay. The 50 Mile Run will start at 7 a.m. and the 50 Kilometer Run will start at 8:30 a.m. The event is being hosted by the Greater Long Island Running Club, Long Island's largest running organization, and GLIRC's Nick Palazzo and Don Butchin are serving as the co-chairmen of the race committee.

All endurance runners who want to test themselves against the hills of Long Island's North Shore are welcome to enter either of these events. The entry fee is $40 for the 50 Kilometer Run and $45 for the 50 Mile Run - if you get your entry in by May 5. Late entries are $45 for the 50 Kilometer Run and $55 for the 50 Kilometer Run.

Both the 50 mile course and the 50 Kilometer course will take the runners through the rolling hills of the northern portions of the Towns of Oyster Bay and Huntington. Each entrant will receive a special commemorative T-shirt, and each finisher will receive a special token of his or her accomplishment. There will be aid stations strategically spaced throughout the course.

"Running an ultramarathon is not for everyone," observed veteran endurance athlete Nick Palazzo, who is the co-chairman of the race committee, "but a 50 Kilometer Run is certainly within the reach of anyone who has successfully completed a marathon. For those who are especially anxious to test the limits of their endurance, the 50 Miler will certainly provide that test. It's not for everyone, but veteran marathoners will never know just what they are capable of until they try that extra distance!"

The 1999 Long Island Endurance Runs featured a strong win by Long Island Ultra champion Rudy Afanador of Shirley, who navigated the 50 Mile course in 6 hours, 16 minutes and 37 seconds. Dave Kliphon of Holbrook took top honors in the 50 Kilometer Run in 3:44:49, less than two minutes in front of wheelchair athlete Rob Laughlin of East Patchogue. The 1999 Women's Division was won by Alicija Barahona of White Plains (8:07:04) in the 50 Miler and Judy Santagata of Brooklyn (4:59:20) in the 50 Kilometer Run. Twenty-eight athletes finished the 50 Kilometer Run in 1999 and 40 completed the 50 Mile Run.

For entry forms or more information about the Long Island Endurance Runs, one may call Nick Palazzo at the Greater Long Island Running Club office at 349-7646.