A stellar field of wheelchair athletes descended on the roads of Farmingdale on June 20 for the 7th annual Salomon Smith Barney Wheelchair Championship 10 Kilometer Race, and spectators were treated to the most exciting finish in the history of this prestigious event, with South African Krige Schabort beating the next three finishers by only one second to take top honors. Schabort's winning time was recorded at 20:52. Mexican champion Saul Mendoza, who won this race in 1997, was second this year, edging out fellow Mexican Aaron Gordian, who placed third, and United States Champion Scott Hollenbeck, who won this race in 1996 and was fourth this year.

The women's champion for the second year in a row was 15-year-old superstar Leann Shannon of Orange Park, Florida. Josh Brunies of Hammond, Louisiana repeated as Junior Champion with a new course Junior record of 21:57. Jim Martinson of Puyallup, Washington won the Masters Division in 22:28.

The top Long Island finisher was Rob Loughlin of Massapequa who was 24th overall in 28:90, followed by Joe Mendez of Brentwood, 31st overall in 29:53.

The Manufacturer's Cup was won by Eagle Racing Chairs for the second year in a row. The top three finishers this year were all racing for Eagle.

The special Beth Crevoiserat Memorial "Spirit of the Race" Award was presented to Special Olympics athlete Harry Swiatkowski.

Race conditions were less than ideal, with early summer heat and humidity taking their toll, but wheelchair racers are a tough bunch, and 52 of them successfully completed the two-loop course that started and finished in the Town of Oyster Bay's Ellsworth Allen Park in Farmingdale. A total of more than $23,000 in prize money was awarded to the athletes.

The race was administered by the Plainview-Old Bethpage Road Runners Club in conjunction with the Town of Oyster Bay's Department of Recreation and Parks. Nick Katsounis, a resident of Massapequa who serves as the chairman of the Road Runners Club's Wheelchair Racing Committee, served as the race director once again. Assistance was also provided by the Massapequa Park Bicycle Club and the Massapequa Road Runners Club.

Thanks went to title sponsor Salomon Smith Barney, to prime sponsors SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Winthrop Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, PC and Oyster Bay Enterprises, and to other major sponsors Karavas Place, St. Charles Hospital and Rehab Center, Waldbaum's, P. C. Richard & Son, Leonard's of Great Neck, Olympus America, and the New York Fraternal Order of Police. Without their continued support there could be no Wheelchair Championship Race.

The local government leaders' continuing support makes this event a reality every year. The Town of Oyster Bay, acting through Town Supervisor John Venditto and Town Councilman Len Symons, the town's Department of Recreation and Parks, New York State Assemblyman David Sidikman, and Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs, all were involved.

"We were thrilled with the success of this year's race," observed Race Director Nick Katsounis. "It is a wonderful thing when local government and local business can get together to do something as important as the Wheelchair Championship Race, and I am personally thankful for the support of everyone. Congratulations to Krige and Leann and all the other athletes. We hope to see you all back again in June of 1999 for the eighth annual running of the Salomon Smith Barney Long Island Wheelchair Championship Race."