Classic ‘tune-ups’
The Kingston Classic has always been the “big” race in the area.
In its 36 years, the race has undergone many changes. There have been seven different courses through the streets of Kingston, Hurley, town of Ulster and the Rondout. In 2009, a 2.1 miler was added to expand participation.
The history of the race can be divided into three distinct developmental stages.
Bob Bright, who owned the Catch Us If You Can running shop in New Paltz, started the race in 1982. Bright wanted to focus attention on running and promote his business. In order to put the race on the map, he used appearance money to bring in some of the nation’s top runners.
John Sinclair, Patti Lyons Catalano (world record holder in the half marathon), Greg Meyers (1983 Boston Marathon winner), Pat Porter (8-time USA Cross Country Champion and 1988 Olympian) and local running legend Charlie Bevier (3-time Olympic trial qualifier — 1984, 1988, 1992) all participated.
It was exciting for local runners to toe the line with these elite and Olympic caliber athletes. The race made running and runners the stars of the day.
In 1987, Dick Vincent became race director and the race underwent a major organizational change. Led by Vincent, the sponsorship group ended appearance fees and instituted a prize money structure. Prize money was awarded to the top 20 men and top 15 women
This propelled the Classic into being a major regional race highlighted by the race drawing 1,395 registrants in 1992. The energy at the start on North Front Street was palpable.
For local runners, the goal was a fast time and the prestige of “picking up a check.”
In 2011, the Kiwanis Club of Kingston took over the race and turned it into a “people’s race.” Prize money was gone and the focus of the race became local runners and fundraising for the service organization’s mission to help the community. Over the last eight years, the race has generated $20,000 to $25,000 yearly for the community organizations and programs the Kiwanis Club supports.
Programs such as the 20 scholarships awarded to Kingston and John A. Coleman Catholic High students, the Boys and Girls Scouts, Children’s Home of Kingston, Kingston Area Soccer League, KHS Band, Veterans Emergency Fund, ARC, Flood Victims Relief, Kingston Comets and the Seniors’ Holiday Dinner have benefitted.
For a complete listing of organizations the Kiwanians help, go to KingstonKiwanis.org.
The race still shines attention on running, gives runners a first-class event and now has a “greater good” that benefits the community year round. Bright, who passed away in 2009, would be very proud of what his “brain child” has become.
I should note that none of this would be possible without the generosity of the local businesses that sponsor the Classic.
In 1997, Dan Bigelow, a Kingston educator, started the Kingston Kids Classic. The Kids Classic is a track meet at Dietz Stadium which features races from 50 yards to one mile. In recent years, the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County has organized the event.
This year’s meet will be on April 21. With the Classic on April 22, it truly is a “Classic Weekend.” The Kids Classic is for youth from pre-school to 6th grade. All participants receive medals with the top three boys and girls in each grade level race winning trophies.
In addition to the running, there will be a bouncy house, face painting, child ID, toucha-truck and healthy snacks activities. If you act fast, there may still be T-shirts available. For more information or to register, go to ymcaulster.org.
In order to get ready for the Classic, there are two up-coming events that can be used as “tune-up” races. April 8, the Dirty Sneaker 5k will start and finish at the Hurley Mountain Inn in Hurley.
This is a flat and fast out and back course. The race is open to everyone and is the first race in the Onteora Runners Club Grand Prix series. For more info/register go to onteorarunners.org.
Six days later, on April 14, at Spring Farm, the Mohonk Preserve and the Shawangunk Runners Club presents the Rock and Snow Bridge 2 Bridge 5 miler. The race uses the gorgeous carriage trails of the Preserve.
Participants will amble trough the forest with the sound of babbling brooks as a backdrop.
In the distance, you will see fabulous views of the Catskill Mountains. This race is limited to 300 entrants and to register/ more info go to mohonkpreserve.org.
Calendar, results
Race directors, please submit information for the race calendar to sports@freemanonline. com. Information should be in the form of a concise email with important details highlighted and included in the body of the email. No race flyer PDFs.
Race results should be submitted directly to me at ssrun54@aol.com.
Steve Schallenkamp has been active in area running circles since 1966 as runner, race director, volunteer and coach. He is a member of the Onteora Runners Club and president of the Shawangunk Runners