Runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes from Syosset, Jericho and Woodbury are cordially invited to come to Kings Park on Sunday, March 25 to test their training and endurance levels by being a part of the 4th annual Kings Park 15 Kilometer Run.

Billed as "a perfect tough training run for those preparing for a Spring Half Marathon or Marathon," the run will feature some of the most beautiful vistas - and most challenging hills - on Long Island's North Shore. This is not your average "fast, flat" course - but for those who want to test themselves, the place to do it is Kings Park on March 25. For those who aren't up to the 15 Kilometer distance, there will also be a 1/2 Mile Fun Run/Fun Walk preceding the main event.

The Run will start at the W.T. Rogers Middle School on Old Dock Road in Kings Park at 9:15 a.m. The entire net proceeds of the Run will be donated to The Brain Tumor Foundation and Kings Park athletic programs.

Every entrant in the 15K Run will receive one of the distinctive high quality long sleeve T-shirts specially designed for the Kings Park Run, and every entrant in the Fun Run will be presented with a special commemorative medal when he or she crosses the finish line.

Top finishers in the 2000 edition of the Run included John Del Maestro of Woodbury, who scored in eighth place overall out of 718 finishers and first in the 40-44 age group; Josh Smith of Woodbury, who was 31st overall and second in the 25-29 age group; Steven Gerardi of Syosset, who scored in 49th place overall; and Joan Ackerman of Syosset, who took third place honors in the women's 55-59 age group.

Awards in 2001 will be given to the top male and female finisher, to the top three male and female finishers in each of 14 five year age groups, up through age 75 and over, and the top three male and female finishers in each of two "Clydesdale" weight divisions. The top three male and female wheelchair finishers will also receive awards.

There will once again be $100 cash prizes for the top male and female runners, and $50 for the top male and female masters runners and the top male and female wheelchair finishers.

The law firm of Lazer, Aptheker, Feldman, Rosella & Yedid, LLP has once again stepped forward to be the primary sponsor of the fourth edition of the run, and race organizers are thrilled to have them back, especially since several of the partners in the firm will once again be taking the challenge of the hills of Kings Park themselves.

The Kings Park 15 Kilometer Run will be managed by the Greater Long Island Running Club, and GLIRC's Mary Ellen Stajk will once again serve as the race director. This year's run will once again be part of the KeySpan grand prix of long distance running conducted under the auspices of Long Island Track & Field, and will serve as Long Island Track & Field's 15 Kilometer Championship Race for 2001.

"This is very much not your typical 'fast, flat' course for those who are out to see how fast they can run on an easy course," stated race director Mary Ellen Stajk. "It has been specially designed to accommodate those who are looking for something a bit more testing, who want to challenge themselves with something more demanding than the usual weekend 5 kilometer race. For those who are planning to run a half marathon or full marathon this spring, it will be a perfect test of where they are in their training. In March of 1998 in Kings Park, the challenge began. In March of 1999 and again in March of 2000, the challenge continued. This year on March 25 in Kings Park the challenge continues as tough as ever!"

The entry fee for the 15 Kilometer Run has been set at $17 for those who preregister (only $16 for GLIRC members) and $25 for those who wait past March 17 to sign up. The entry fee for the Fun Run has been set at $5 for preregistrants and $6 for those who register late.

For entry forms or more information, or to volunteer to help, call Mary Ellen Stajk at (631) 544-4912 or call the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.