Shown in the photo are award winners Greg Karl of Massapequa Park and Glenn Morse of Massapequa. John Daly of North Massapequa took 21st place overall and first in the 50-54 age group to lead a large contingent of runners from the Massapequas and Amityville in the 26th annual Oyster Bay Town Supervisor’s Oyster Festival 5 Kilometer Run, held on the roads of Oyster Bay hamlet on Oct. 17. Daly crossed the finish line in 18 minutes, 23 seconds.

Other Massapequa residents winning awards in the Oyster Bay 5 Kilometer Run were Josh Brown of North Massapequa, who earned the fourth place award in the 15-19 age group in 25:02; Greg Karl of Massapequa Park, who earned first place honors in the 60-64 age group in 20:39; Glenn Morse of Massapequa, who scored second in that same 60-64 age group in 22:22 and John Niesen of Massapequa Park, who scored as the third finisher in the 80 and over age group in 42:09.

Shown in the photo above, John Niesen of Massapequa Park heads for the Oyster Bay finish line. Notwithstanding the threatening weather on Oct. 17, the race attracted over 700 entrants and almost 600 finishers.

The run was hosted by the Town of Oyster Bay and its Parks Department, with Recreation Supervisor Diane Blanchard and her staff taking the lead, and race management services provided by the Greater Long Island Running Club under the direction of Club President Mike Polansky. Town Supervisor John Venditto, Town Board members Rose Walker, Joe Pinto, and Elizabeth Faughnan, and County Legislator Ed Mangano who showed up to support the event.

Bob Cook and the Runner’s Edge of Farmingdale sponsored the $500 “winner takes all” prize to the first runner to cross the finish line. Allan and Marc Sobel of South Shore Outdoor were acknowledged for their support of this event every year.