Travis Tate of East Northport blazed a trail for nearly 300 harriers who successfully completed the second annual Run for Their Lives Long Island Track & Field Cross Country Championship on Sunday morning, Oct. 28, completing the 8 Kilometer course at Bethpage State Park in 27:28. By virtue of his win, Travis becomes the USATF-Long Island cross country champion for 2001. Kathy Martin of Northport scored as the women's winner in 31:19.

Dennis O'Brien of St. James took top Masters honors in 29:12, and the Women's Masters award went to Diane Gordon of Central Islip in 35:10.

The winners are eligible to represent Long Island in the USATF National Cross Country Championship Meet in Mobile, AL on Dec. 1.

The run was administered for LITF by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with GLIRC President Mike Polansky serving as the race director. The primary sponsor of the event was Pfizer.

The entire net proceeds of the event were dedicated to North Shore Animal League of America, with NSALA project coordinator Mira Liebstein coordinating things from that end, and Dr. Sherrie Hartke, NSALA's chief of veterinary services on hand for the event as well. NSALA is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for orphaned animals by finding the next possible home for each pet in its care - even if the pet is blind, deaf, or otherwise disabled - and the funds raised from the run for their lives will go directly to furthering NSALA's efforts in that regard.

The running club extended thanks also to Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs, who served as the honorary starter of the run, for her support.

Award winners from the local area included Don Di Donato of Hicksville, who was the first-place finisher in the 40-44 age group; Eileen Aaron of Bethpage, who scored first in the women's 35-39 age group, Michele Haller of Plainview, who took second place honors in the women's 40-44 age group; Joan Ackerman of Syosset, second-place finisher among the women in the 55-59 age group; Janet Bergman of Old Bethpage, who took top honors among the "Clydesdale" women; and Kate Quaranto of Bethpage, third-place finisher among the "Clydesdale" women.