This year's Belmont Stakes Festival Floral Park Youth Council 5K, One Mile and Pee Wee Runs are scheduled for June 3, running through the streets of Floral Park and the backstretch of Belmont Park. The Belmont Stakes Week begins with the FP Chamber of Commerce parade on Friday evening, June 1, followed by the FPYC race that Sunday morning. The Pee Wee Run will start at 8:30 a.m. followed by the One Mile Fun Run at 8:45 a.m. and then the 5K (3.1 miles) at 9:15 a.m., with all starting at the LIRR station. Following the races there will be refreshments and a raffle for the runners while the awards are given out. The race activities will conclude around 10 a.m. when the awards program will be presented in the Village Hall auditorium.

The race is supported by a cross-section of many of the most community-minded businesses and professionals serving our community. Sponsors for the race include: Oerzen Chiropractic Associates; Jameson's Bar and Grill; Crabtree's Restaurant; The Abbott Agency (real estate); Charlie Bullfrog's; Charles Annunziato, MD; Associated Foods; Bart Fingerman, DDS; Joseph Ruisi, DDS; Ron Keats Nationwide Insurance; the Merry Pedlar Restaurant; Tulip Wines & Spirits; J-J's Dance Studio; Green Isle Contracting of Bellerose; Sal Bonagura, attorney-at-law; and Tulip Sweet Shoppe.

Much activity takes place the morning of the race in getting ready for the race. Volunteers are needed to have the day go off on time and successfully. If you can help in the early hours before the race, please contact Steve Corbett at 352-5383 as soon as possible.

Proceeds from the race will go to the Youth Council's teen and youth programs, which are housed at 22 Verbena Avenue and involve multiple programs. The pre-registration cost of entry is $13 for the 1-mile and 5K run while the Pee Wee run is $7. The day of race entry fee for runners is $15 for the 5K and 1 Mile and $8 for the Pee Wees. Applications are available at the Floral Park Exercise & Fitness Center at the corner of Jericho and South Tyson, the FP Recreation Center and the Floral Park Library or call Steve Corbett at 352-5383.

The race starts on Atlantic Avenue at the FP LIRR station and turns east onto Tulip Avenue, heads down East Poplar Street to Cypress, west to Floral Parkway to Cherry Street to Plainfield Avenue south one block to Zinnia Avenue to Calla Avenue and then left into Belmont Park through the backstretch area. Runners and walkers will re-enter the village at Mayfair Avenue making a left turn onto Larch Avenue up to Floral Boulevard for the straight run to the finish line at Village Hall.