Registration is now open for the 27th annual Bethpage Federal Credit Union Ocean to Sound 50 Mile Relay. The date is Sunday, Sept. 23. The relay brings the entire Long Island running community together for an annual September tradition, with 150 teams of eight runners each traversing a 50-mile course that starts at 8 a.m. at Jones Beach State Park, heads north and east through Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa, Farmingdale and Old Bethpage before crossing into Huntington, hitting the Long Island Sound at Lloyd Harbor, returning to Nassau County via Cold Spring Harbor and Syosset, and then heading north again to a finish on the grounds of Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay. Each runner on the team covers a leg of between five and seven miles.
The Bethpage Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the relay. Race management is provided by the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC), once again under the supervision of GLIRC Director Alan End. John Snitko of JMS Racing Services will provide technical assistance, timing and scoring.
The charitable beneficiary of the relay will once again be the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which will be fielding lots of teams to participate in this year’s event. Entrants will have the opportunity to use the Ocean to Sound Relay as a vehicle for raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or for another charity of your choice.
Awards in this year’s relay will be presented to the top three male, female and coed open and masters teams, senior teams, super senior masters teams, law enforcement teams, corporate teams, and physically challenged teams. There will also be a special award for the team that best captures the “Spirit of the Relay.”
Awards aren’t the real attraction for most teams, who will be competing for the fun of it, but to enjoy a great day on the beautiful roads of Long Island, and to be there for “the best post-race party in the Northeast” at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park.
The entry fee is only $360 per team ($45 per runner) through Sept. 3, which covers entry into the race, a special commemorative shirt for each runner, and entry into the post-race party. The entry fee goes up to $400 per team after Sept. 18.
Every local runner is most cordially invited to join us for the best single day of running on Long Island. The Bethpage Ocean to Sound Relay is a great venue for team spirit, a terrific sense of camaraderie, and a unique opportunity for runners to get a real sense of the scenic beauties and diversity of Long Island.
For entry forms or more information, please contact the Linda or Mike at GLIRC at (516) 349-7646. You can also register online at www.glirc.org.
