The Plainview-Old Bethpage community celebrated Father's Day in tremendous fashion on Sunday, June 18 this year, as a race record of 558 runners and walkers successfully completed the third annual Vytra Health Plans Kids Helping Kids 5 Kilometer Run, and more than 100 youngsters ran in either the 1/4 mile or the 1/2 mile fun runs that preceded the main event.

The 5K Run started and finished at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School, and the fun runs were held on the track at the Middle School. Middle School Principal Ed Metzendorf was on hand to run in the 5K and welcomed everyone to what proved to be a great day for the entire community.

The entire event was conducted under the auspices of Kids Helping Kids and its president Robert Eslick of Old Bethpage, for the benefit of the children-oriented charities that Kids Helping Kids supports, and was once again dedicated to the memory of Plainview youngster Michael Jason Eichenbaum. The race was administered by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with technical direction provided by Finish Line Road Race Technicians.

Overall winners in the 5 Kilometer Run were 42-year-old Don Di Donato of Hicksville, who crossed the finish line in 15:48, and Donna McMahon of Farmingdale, whose winning time was 18:16.

Top Plainview-Old Bethpage finishers in the 5 Kilometer Run included Eddie Arbeiter of Plainview, who was 11th overall and first in the 45-49 age group in 17:49, Ron Smyth of Old Bethpage, who scored third in the 40-44 age group in 18:04, and 19-year-old Brian Nordell of Plainview, who captured top honors in the 17-19 age groups in 18:37.

Other Plainview-Old Bethpage Award winners were 8 year old Bryan Eberenz of Plainview, who was second in the 8 and under age group; 7-year-old Stacianne Lester of Plainview, who was the third place award winner in the girls 8 and under age group; Heate Nelson of Plainview, second in the girls 9-11 age group; Matthew Descovich of Plainview, who scored first in the men's 12-14 age group; Mark Koplon of Plainview, the third place award winner in the men's 15-17 age group; Stephanie Pritchard of Plainview; and Michelle Epstein of Plainview, who finished first and third respectively in the women's 15-17 age group; Jack Brolly of Plainview, second in the men's 17-19 age group; Greg Sherman of Plainview, second, 20-24 age group; Michael Resnik of Plainview, third, 20-24 age group; and 80-year-old Helen Eberenz of Plainview, who took top honors in the 75 and over age group.

The key financial supporter of the Kids Helping Kids Run was Vytra Health Plans once again this year, and Vytra's Melissa Schuchman was on hand to participate in the festivities. Other key support was provided by the Woodbury Country Deli (whose generosity enabled youngsters age 12 and under to run "sponsor free"), North Fork Bank, and Kenwal Day Camp. Oyster Bay Town Councilman Len Symons of Plainview was also on hand to lend his support to this great event.

This was indeed a superb day for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community, the heart and soul of the Kids Helping Kids organization. As young Robert A.J. Eslick put it, the Kids Helping Kids Run is "not just another old race but an event put on by Kids to support Kids in need."