Speeding to start
Numbers up for Kingston Classic
KINGSTON — This year’s Kiwanis Kingston Classic 10-kilometer road race, scheduled for April 15, celebrates its 30th anniversary and its second year under the direction of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston.
The Classic, which was canceled in 2010 without a group in charge, enjoyed a solid rebirth last year with the Kiwanis Club taking over the reins.
The annual race had 474 finishers in the 10k and another 168 in the accompanying 2.1-mile fun run.
With a little more than two weeks until race day, 413 had already entered this year’s 10k, with an additional 118 participating in the fun run.
With a focus on the local community, the race did not attract any of the elite-level runners that took part in past Classics.
Connecticut resident Adam Bulewich won the men’s race in a time of 35:15, while Liza Grudzinski of Newburgh was first in the women’s race in 38:23.
At press time, neither defending champion was registered for this year’s race.
The Classic starts at 1 p.m. on North Front Street, travels through the Stockade district of uptown Kingston, out to Hurley Avenue and back to the finish line at Dietz Stadium.
The 2.1-mile run, also starting at 1 p.m., has a similar route for the first part, but turns into the stadium instead of heading out on Hurley Avenue.
Race-day registration and packet pick-up begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 12:30 p.m. at the registration tent inside the stadium. Entry fees are $25, $20 for students under 18 and $15 for the 2.1-mile run.
The Mayor’s Trophy will be awarded to a local business or organization that has at least five finishing members.
The Classic is offering Fan Zones for the second straight year as well.
Fan Zones are opportu- nities for area organizations to motivate runners along the course while competing for cash prizes.
The Classic is being run in conjunction with
the YMCA Kids Classic, which is scheduled for April 14 at Dietz Stadium.
Later in the evening on April 14, the Classic will host a pasta dinner ($5 fee) and organizers will honor the first class of inductees into the Kingston Classic Hall of Fame.
The Ponytails will provide musical entertainment at the pasta party and pre-registered runners can also pick up their race packets.
Parking is available at Ulster Savings Bank on Schwenk Drive and at the Kingston Plaza. There will be no parking at Dietz Stadium.
Albany Running Exchange handles all of the registration and timing responsibilities.
Post- race awards, refreshments and entertainment by The Cagneys follows both races at the stadium.
Official sponsors of the race are the Freeman, Hudson Valley Foot Associates, Anaconda Sports, Hannaford Supermarkets, Colorpage, Healthalliance of the Hudson Valley, WBPM 92.9, Adirondack Trailways, Ulster Savings Bank, Mid-hudson Val- ley Federal Credit Union, Binnewater Ice Company, United Healthcare, Rondout Savings Bank, Lake Katrine Animal Hospital, Keegan Ales, Herzog’s/ Kingston Plaza, Klock Foundation, M&T Bank, Ulster Federal Credit Union, Home Plate Deli & Caterers, Catskill Hudson Bank, Village Apothecary, Rose & Kiernan Insurance, KOSCO, Ryan & Ryan Insurance and RKB Sheetmetal.