New-look Kingston Classic steps off Sunday
35th edition of Kingston event steps off Sunday with Strand section of city serving as backdrop
KINGSTON, N.Y. >> The 35th edition of the Kiwanis Kingston Classic will have a new and very distinctive look this year.
After a three-year relationship with HITS Running, the organizations parted ways and the Kiwanis took a very different direction for Sunday’s annual event, maintaining the traditional 10-kilometer race and adding a 2-1.mile run.
Dropped were the marathon and half-marathon, plus a Friends and Family mile.
The 10 is back at its traditional 1 p.m. start. The 2.1-mile run begins at 1:30.
No longer commencing and ending at Dietz Stadium, the event has moved to the other side of the city — to the Rondout district and the Town of Esopus where runners will be taking in the picturesque riverside views.
The starting line is at T.R. Gallo Memorial Park. The finish is under the John T. Loughran Bridge on Rondout Landing near Hudson River Cruises.
“Everything is looking really good,” Classic co-race director Carlos Perez said.
Packet pickup begins today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the finish line by Hudson River Cruises and starting at 9 a.m. Sunday at Gallo Park. Registration will be taken both days at those locations. Registration is expected to be cut off roughly 30 minutes before each race. Online registration closed on Thursday.
Entry fee is $25 for the 10k and $15 for the 2.1 mile run. For youth under 12 years old, it is $10 for either race. All proceeds from today’s event go directly back into the community by benefitting local Kiwanis youth funds, including scholarships for local students and financial sup-
port of the Kids Classic put on by the YMCA.
Last minute preparation included a little widening and the addition of some gravel to the trails.
When Kiwanis and HITS split last fall, thoughts turned to moving the race down to the Strand.
“We started realizing that it would be great to have it down there,” Perez said. “The benefit of having the history of the river view is a home run. As far as starting and finishing down there, spectators can have a nice meal and can see their loved ones go by three or four times. That’s one of the benefits.”
The course is relatively flat with a few rolling upgrades and a couple of challenging upgrades along the way. Runners will have many views of the Rondout Creek, along with a spectacular view of the Hudson River while in Kingston Point Rotary Park, plus a scenic view of the Kingston Light House on the rail trail towards the end of the race.
Both races will start at Gallo Park behind Mariner’s Harbor restaurant on the Strand. The runners head out on Dock Street, turning left at the blinking light on Abeel Street.
Those competing in the 10k will continue on Abeel Street until turning around at the intersection for Wilbur Avenue. The 2.1-mile runners will turn around on Abeel at the light, heading back across Wurts Street, taking a right onto the Strand and continuing until turning around at Abruyn Street, then back to the finish line.
The 10k runners, meanwhile, continue on Abeel and turn right to go across the Wurts Street bridge before turning back near the Rainbow Drive-In in Port Ewen, and back across the bridge, with a right turn onto Abeel and another right onto the Strand.
They continue past the Trolley Museum and turn left onto Abruyn, right onto East Union Street, and then left onto North Street, right onto Delaware Avenue, continuing through Rotary Park and onto the running trail next to the Trolley tracks.
Runners exit the trail and head back on North Street to the finish.
Organizers are on target to reach 500 entries for Sunday’s races. As of Wednesday, the 10K had 360 signed up and the 2.1mile had 115.
“We should have a big push if it’s a nice day. The goal is to reach 500,” Perez said.
The expectation is for a beautiful spring day with a high of 63 degrees with humidity making it feel warmer. The real feel high, according to accuweather.com, is to be 71.
“Logistically, the Kiwanis is comfortable with the 10k and 2-mile,” Perez noted. “It takes less volunteers, but we can also put a few more volunteers at each intersection. We’re getting close to the 100 mark. It gives us flexibility.”
Water stations will be positioned on Abeel Street and also by the River View Baptist Church on the East Strand where 10K runners will encounter it at mile 4 and also when they return off the trail.
The first 500 finishers receive pint glasses from Rehabitat from Ten Broeck Commons as they cross the line.
The post-race party and awards ceremony will immediately follow the race at Ole Savannah Restaurant.