Runners from throughout Long Island are invited to be a part of the 10th annual edition of Long Island Blood Services Rob's Run, the annual late Fall 5 Kilometer cross country run, which will be held Dec. 1 at the Town of Oyster Bay's Stillwell Woods Park in Syosset.

Rob's Run will once again be sponsored by Long Island Blood Services and administered by the Greater Long Island Running Club. GLIRC Co-Race Directors Ed Melnik and Steve Klemes are hard at work putting the finishing touches on this individual and team competition that has become Long Island's premier cross country event and a great way to enjoy the beauties of Stillwell Woods.

As in the past, Rob's Run is dedicated to the memory of Rob Lauterborn, an extraordinary human being, talented runner and good friend who was taken at far too young an age. The net proceeds of Rob's Run will once again be turned over the ASPIRE Program for the rehabilitation of young amputees, victims of bone cancer and traumatic amputations.

Those who are veterans of Rob's Run, or otherwise familiar with the beauties of Long Island's trails, know what a great morning this is going to be. Those who have never had the nerve to try running cross country before, this is an easy introduction to the wonders of the woods and an entirely new perspective on late fall running.

Entry fees are $18 for those who pre-register and $20 for those who wait till the day of the run. (Those who donated a pint of blood at the Athletes for Life Summer Blood Drive get a free entry into Rob's Run). Everyone who registers is guaranteed one of the great long sleeve commemorative T-shirts that have been the trademark of Rob's Run over the years. The Run will start promptly at 9 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 1. Registration and number/shirt pickup will be at Syosset High School from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.

Awards will be presented to the top three male and female individual finishers overall, and to the top three teams (four runners per team) in each of the following divisions: male, female and coed open, male, female and coed masters, male and female senior masters (all runners age 50 plus), middle school boys, middle school girls, high school boys and high school girls. For the first time this year, there will also be individual age group awards, presented to the top three male and top three female finishers in each of 14 five-year age groups ranging from 14 and under through 75 and over. Enter as an individual or enter as part of a team - but don't miss Dec. 1 for a great morning of cross country running.

Local runners from Farmingdale and the Massapequas were especially prominent in the 2001 edition of Rob's Run, led by 17-year-old Farmingdale High School superstar Jen Campbell, who was the first woman overall in 19 minutes, 36 seconds. Race organizers hope to see Jennifer and lots of other local runners back again to compete Dec. 1.

For entry forms or more information, call Linda at the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.