Applications are available for the 17th annual Vytra Health Plans Long Island Women's 5 Kilometer Run, to be held on Saturday, July 8, starting and finishing at the Woodward Parkway Elementary School in Farmingdale.

This will be the fourth straight year that Vytra Health Plans has been the primary corporate sponsor of this important event, which in 1998 saw former Villanova All-American and National Indoor 3000 Meter Champion Kathy Franey Fleming take top honors for the second year in a row, and in 1999 saw Kenyan superstar Teresa Wanjiku outkick Irish national champion Breeda Dennehy Willis and a field of other international and American stars in a dramatic win. The first Long Island resident to cross the finish line in both the 1998 and the 1999 edition of the Run was Olympic Trials qualifier Regina Ronan of Northport.

With early indications that past winners and other top athletes will be at the starting line of the 2000 edition of the Run, both Vytra and the Greater Long Island Running Club are looking forward to even bigger and better things for the Run this year.

The event is also pleased to have the strong backing of New York State Senator Carl Marcellino, who has re-emphasized his support for women's fitness programs here on Long Island by nominating the Women's Run as a candidate for a 2000 Legislative Initiative Grant from the State. Thanks to Marcellino's efforts, the Run was the recipient of Legislative Initiative Grants in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

"We are thrilled that Vytra Health Plans will be working with us once again this year," noted GLIRC's Don Butchin, who will serve as the co-director of the Vytra Women's Run this year. "Vytra is a local Long Island company that takes its role as one of Long Island's most important and public spirited businesses just as seriously as it approaches its responsibilities in the health care business. Similarly, Marcellino has always been a strong friend of the running community and an equally strong proponent of running and fitness for women. With Vytra's support and that of Marcellino, we are looking to attract our biggest field ever in 2000, and we urge every woman runner on Long Island to join us on July 8.

This year's Run will be held on the same beautiful Farmingdale course that hosted the Run in 1999, with the start and finish at the Woodward Parkway Elementary School. Everyone who enters will receive a special commemorative women's shirt, with an extra surprise for everyone at the finish. There will be a big door prize drawing for all entrants at the post-Run Awards ceremony. Special plaques will be awarded to the top finishers in each of 14 five year age groups. The main event will be preceded by a 1/4 mile fun run for future female Olympians (12 and under).

For entry forms or more information about this great event, call the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.