Applications are now available for the 21st anniversary Runner's Edge-Tobay Triathlon, Long Island's largest triathlon, and perhaps the most athlete friendly - multi-sport event in the country. Some 1,500 athletes representing nine states participated in the 2007 edition of the triathlon, and an equally big turnout is expected for 2008.

The date is Sunday, Aug. 24, the place is Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, and the distances are a 1 Kilometer Swim in Oyster Bay Harbor, a 15 Kilometer Bike through Oyster Bay Cove, and a 5 Kilometer Run up to the Planting Fields Arboretum, and back to the exciting finish at Roosevelt Park. This is an event that is perfect for first timers, but yet is challenging enough to satisfy the veteran triathlete.

The entry fee for the Runner's Edge-TOBAY Triathlon is $50 if you register by April 30, which is reduced to $40 if you are a resident of the Town of Oyster Bay. The entry fee jumps to $60 on May 1 and to $75 after June 1 (less $10 for TOBAY residents).

The event is once again dedicated to the memory of Gerald Kaufman, one of the founding members of the Greater Long Island Running Club, as well as an outstanding triathlete and good friend to many GLIRC members.

The Runner's Edge-Tobay Triathlon will be conducted under the auspices of the Town of Oyster Bay and its Department of Parks and Recreation, with Bob Cook and all the other good people at the Runner's Edge signing on once again as the corporate title sponsor, and Steve Kristel once again the corporate presenting sponsor.

The Runner's Edge-Tobay Triathlon gives athletes an opportunity to have some fun and do some good at the same time, since major portions of the proceeds of the great event will be distributed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma, and to the Gerald Kaufman Memorial Fund whose sole purpose is to provide assistance to local athletes and their families in times of personal financial emergency.

Not up to a full triathlon? The event also features a team competition, with each team member doing one of the three legs of the Tri, so talk to your buddies and come up with a team for the Runner's Edge-Tobay Tri-Relay. The team entry fee through April 30 is only $35 per team member). The team fee goes to $40 per team member on May 1st and $50 per team member after June 1 (a $6 discount from all team fees for Tobay residents.

Please join co-race Directors Jose Lopez and Ray Farrell and the good people from the Town of Oyster Bay, Runner's Edge and Steve Kristel for Long Island's #1 triathlon on Aug 24. For more info and/or entry booklet call Linda at the Greater Long Island Running Club office at 349-7646 or Diane at the Town of Oyster Bay Recreation office at 797-4125. You can also register online at www.glirc.org. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Mindy Davidson, volunteer coordinator, at 520-9481 (before 9 p.m.)

Don't miss the Runner's Edge-TOBAY Triathlon Clinic on Thursday May 15. This is a perfect evening for first or second time triathletes, or for anyone else who wants a heads up on how to do the best race possible on Aug. 24!