Runners and walkers of all ages and levels of ability from Farmingdale and surrounding communities are invited to test their training and endurance levels by being a part of the 13th Annual Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella and Yedid Kings Park 15-Kilometer Run. The run will take place on Saturday, March 13 starting at 9 a.m. at the New Discovery Elementary School on Lawrence Road in Kings Park. Additional parking will be available 3/8 mile away at Kings Park High School.
The law firm of Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella and Yedid, P.C. has stepped forward to be the title sponsor of this 13th edition of the run once again and several of the partners in the firm will themselves once again be taking the challenge of the hills of Kings Park.
The Kings Park 15 K Run is a perfect tough training run for those who are setting their sights on a spring marathon or half marathon. It features 9.3 miles of some of the most beautiful vistas – and most challenging hills – on Long Island’s North Shore. Kings Park is very much not your usual fast, flat course – but for those who want to test themselves, the place to do it is Kings Park on Saturday, March 8. The revised course adopted this year at the urging of the Suffolk County Police Department may prove to be even more challenging than the old course. For the youngsters – and anyone else who isn’t up to the 15 Kilometer distance – there will also be a half-mile Fun Run/Fun Walk.
The net proceeds of the run will once again be distributed to Kings Park School District athletic programs, with a substantial donation also being made to the American Brain Tumor Foundation. The Run will once again serve as the 15 Kilometer Championship event for the Long Island Association of USA Track & Field.
Every entrant in the 15K run will receive one of the distinctive high-quality sweatshirts, specially designed for the Kings Park Run, and every entrant in the Fun Run will be presented with a special commemorative medal when he or she crosses the finish line.
There will be $250 cash prizes for the first place male and female runners, $100 for the first place male and female masters runners, $50 for the first male and female senior masters (age 50 plus), and $100 for the first place male and female wheelchair finishers. Special plaques will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in each of 14 five-year age groups, up through age 75 and older, and the top three male and female finishers in each of two “Clydesdale” weight divisions, and the top three male and female wheelchair racers.
The entry fee for the 2010 15K Run is $20 ($18 for members of the Greater Long Island Running Club) if you sign up in advance, and $25 for those who wait until the day of the run to register. There is 50 percent discount to all runners age 16 and under who pre-register. The entry fee for the Fun Run is only $4 for pre-registrants and $5 for latecomers.
Farmingdale athletes have been especially prominent in the Kings Park 15 Kilometer Run over the years. In the 2009 edition of the run, veteran Chris Daily of Farmingdale scored in 22nd place overall and second in the 50-54 age group, Kevin O’Toole of Farmingdale scored 23rd overall, and Paul Cutter of Farmingdale took top honors in the Clydesdale 200 pound plus weight division. Race organizers are looking for another strong turnout from the local area in 2010.
For entry forms or more information, call run director Steven Toto at (516) 349-7646.
