1999 marks the 50th anniversary of the Nassau and Suffolk chapters of the Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC) and to celebrate, the chapters have come together to participate in the NYSARC (New York State Association for Retarded Children) coordinated Laurel Run - a relay that starts at eight different points throughout the state, covers approximately 2,500 miles, and culminates June 11 at the state capitol in Albany.

Each chapter's 50th anniversary committee has announced details for the 150-mile Long Island portion of the relay run and invites the public to join the runners or cheer them on their route. The public is also encouraged to join in the celebrations taking place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 1 at Tanger Outlet in Riverhead to kick-off the statewide run with festivities including free refreshments, give-aways, WALK 97.5 Radio personalities and speakers, and again, Monday, May 3 at 10:45 a.m. at Syosset-Woodbury Park in Woodbury for more festivities as Suffolk AHRC hands-off the Laurel Run flag to Nassau AHRC.

In Nassau, the public is invited to show their support and join runners at the stops along the following route:

Join County Executive Thomas Gulotta, WALK 97.5 Radio, Nassau County dignitaries, AHRC participants, families and friends for a morning of balloons, rides and a Mother's Day plant sale to acknowledge the Laurel Run flag hand-off from AHRC Suffolk to AHRC Nassau.

Leaving the park at 11:30 a.m., runners will travel left onto Jericho Tpke., make right onto Jackson Avenue, bearing left at fork. At first light, runners make left onto Eastwood Avenue which becomes Muttontown Road. Crossing 106, runners make a right onto Brookville Road and another right onto Wheatley Road. With Police Station to left, runners cross 25A and make left onto Piping Rock Road, and again onto Duck Pond Road, becoming Town Path once crossing the railroad tracks. Runners make a right onto Glen Street, traveling on to Glen Cove City Hall.

Glen Cove Mayor Tom Suozzi greets runners, says a few encouraging worDs, poses for photographs and encourages Laurel Runners on their way...

Miles for the day: 11.2

In Glen Cove, runners gather at corner of Glen Street and make left onto School Street, proceeding to next corner and making left onto Glen Cove Avenue, which turns into 107. At Getty Gas Station, bear left and continue on 107 to traffic light. Make right onto Wheatley Road and Nassau AHRC is on left.

AHRC participants and staff at the AHRC Nassau campus provide an energizing breakfast to runners and send them on their way to Manhasset...

Making a right out of the agency and proceed along Wheatley Road to stop sign and make right onto Whitney. At Northern Blvd. - 25A-runners make a left. Before viaduct bear right to traffic light and make left at Old Northern Blvd. Pass village clock tower and at traffic light make left onto Old Northern Blvd, cross over Mineola Blvd and continue straight to Port Washington/Searingtown Road, making right and then left onto Park Av. Go through Munsey Park and left onto Plandome Rd. Town Hall is on left. Congregate at the Gazebo at the Mary Jane Davies Green Park.

Hempstead Town Supervisor May Newburger will say a few words to the runners.

Miles for the day: 13.5

From Plandome Road in Manhasset, run proceeds left onto Northern Blvd. and then right onto Shelter Rock Road. Crossing over LIE, bear left at the fork making right at light onto Herricks, crossing Hillside Avenue till crossing over Jericho Tpke. Bear left at fork onto Old Country Road continuing to County Seat Drive, making right. Continue on County Seat Drive and make left onto South Road and Mineola Supreme Court building on left.

Join judges, attorneys, press and other supporters in recognizing AHRC and the Laurel Runners outside the courthouse at lunchtime.

Miles for the day: 6.6

Runners leave Mineola, heading south on West Street, making left onto South Road and right at light onto Washington Ave. going south. proceeding left onto Peninsula Blvd. runners make first right on to Henry Street. Upon crossing Southern Pkwy, runners bear left onto Milburn Ave. and left again onto Sunrise Hwy. In approximately 1.3 miles, route turns right onto Henry Street, following road to AHRC Workshop on right hand side.

Refreshments are served to the runners who continue on their way by 11 a.m. for the final leg of the run.

Turning left from workshop onto Hanse Street, runners again turn left onto Mill Road. At traffic light, run proceeds left onto South Main Street heading to Atlantic Avenue and making a right. At Waukena Avenue, runners turn left, cross Oceanside Road and left again onto Long Beach Road, continuing until making left onto Austin Blvd., going over the bridge and turning right onto Park Avenue, and proceeding onto Center Street, making first left and on to City Hall.

State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and Long Beach City Manager Bruce Nyman will greet runners and congratulate them on the completion of the Nassau County portion of the state-wide Laurel Run.

Miles for the day: 19.2

Total Nassau Run: 46.8

On May 11, Nassau AHRC will hand-off the Laurel Run flag to New York City AHRC at Belmont Racetrack.

For more information on details about joining or observing Laurel Run, call Justine Lewis at the AHRC Nassau Chapter: 626-1000, ext. 1238.