Close to 1,000 runners are expected to enter the third annual Eamonn Coghlan 5K Classic set for the Belmont Park Race Course in Elmont in the latter part of August.

For the past two years the race was conducted during a late Saturday afternoon. However, because of another race in Manhattan on the same date, race director Steve Duggan moved it to Sunday morning Aug. 23. The gun goes off at 10 a.m. sharp.

The race is being conducted as part of New York's Irish Family Festival that weekend also at Belmont. The Festival contains music, entertainment, amusements, pony rides, dancing, and much more.

Duggan feels that by shifting the race to a Sunday will increase the number of participants.

The 45-year-old Coghlan, who is training some 40 miles a week, will be competing in the 3.1 mile event. Last year he was timed in 16:31 for third place in a field of 245 finishers. Every year the race draws more and more participants.

"I feel this event has a lot of potential and could grow into something big," Coghlan said last year. "I'm happy with the way everything went."

Last year Alem Kahsay of Manhattan captured the event in 14:59. Jason Brown of Astoria won the inaugural running in 14:32 in 1996.

The Classic, which is becoming more and more popular, will attract the cream of the crop from the metropolitan area.

The race is being conducted with the cooperation of the New York Racing Association and the College Point Road Runners Track Club. The latter will time and score the event.

The 3.1 mile course runs through the scenic tree-lined paths at Belmont past the horse barns and is fast. It begins and ends on the outside of the horse track and is 99 percent flat.

There is no thoroughbred action at Belmont as the NYRA is conducting its summer meeting upstate at Saratoga.

Any runner, regardless of age, may enter the morning of the race or by mail. This is an age group event with plenty of awards. The first overall male and female finisher will receive cash prizes.

A number of years ago when Duggan asked Coghlan if he would be interested in lending his name for a 5K, the worldwide athlete was all for the idea. Thus began the Eamonn Coghlan 5K.

"I look forward to this year's race," he said. "I don't see why we can't get almost 1,000 runners. It's a super event."

Coghlan is coming off a ninth place finish in a 5K with a time of 15:59 in San Diego. He is running for fun and wants to keep a level of consistency.

Free bus service is provided and departs from the New York Road Runners Club at 9 East 89 Street in Manhattan starting at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Buses will return to the club after the race.

For further information or applications call 212-686-1210 or 718-460-5370.