Teams from Syosset High School and Syosset's two middle schools closed out the Long Island cross country season in style at Rob's Run, a 5 Kilometer Cross Country race held at the Town of Oyster Bay's Stillwell Woods Park in Syosset on Nov. 28. Lots of other local runners from Syosset-Woodbury and Jericho were among the 564 finishers of all ages and abilities.

The Syosset High School Sophomores team of Earl Han, Tien-lun Chaung, Henry Kung and Joshua Ruderman finished fourth in the Boys High School Division, as Han showed the way with a strong 18:20, good for second-place honors among the high school boys. The Syosset High School team of Saugat San, Tom Cafiero, Chris Kan and Albert Lin finished in fifth place.

In the Middle School Division, local youngsters Chris Howell, Cassidy Huie, Even Korn and Joshua Lord finished in fifth place.

This was the seventh annual edition of Rob's Run, which is sponsored by Long Island Blood Services and conducted under the auspices of the Greater Long Island Running Club, with a big boost from the Town of Oyster Bay and its Department of Recreation and Parks. GLIRC's Ed Melnick and Steve Klemes served as the co-race directors.

The entire net proceeds of Rob's Run are turned over to ASPIRE, the Long Island-based program that provides prosthetic devices, physical therapy, and intensive rehabilitation through exercise to young amputees, victims of bone cancer and traumatic amputations.

Rob's Run is staged by the Running Club in memory of Rob Lauterborn, an outstanding athlete and good friend who passed away at the untimely age of 28. "It is altogether fitting that we should perpetuate Rob's memory in an event that helps young amputees through athletics at the same time as it promotes and fosters cross country running here on Long Island," observed Melnik. "Our congratulations and thanks to the folks from Syosset and all the other great folks who joined us on this special day. Special thanks to the Syosset School District for allowing us the use of Syosset High School for registration and the awards ceremony."

Rob's Run was the final event of the KeySpan/Long island Track & Field Grand Prix of Long Island Road races. KeySpan's Phil Maroney was on ehand to present a $1000 check to ASPIRE.