The Kiwanis Club of Kingston is proud to present the annual Kiwanis Kingston Classic. This marks the 30^th anniversary of the run and special events are planned to celebrate this milestone. The race will be held Sunday, April 15^th, at 1:00 p.m. at Dietz Stadium, Kingston, N.Y. The Classic includes a 10k course which is USATF certified and a 2.1 mile fun run/walk. A 10k team challenge category is also available for groups, schools and organizations to compete against each other to win the Mayor’s Cup trophy.

Early registration for the Kingston Classic is only $15 through February 15^th, $20 through April 1^st and $25 until the day of the event. Students with ID and early registration will cost $15. The 2.1 run/walk cost is $10 prior to race day and $15 on race day per person. Proceeds benefit local Kiwanis youth funds, such as Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Children’s Home, Brookside School, Key Club and many more. In 2011, approximately $15,000 was raised for these organizations in total.

Matt Zappen of Catskill, was thrilled with the overall Classic experience. “I’ve been doing races all my life, but never have I seen one like this,” said Zappen, 35. “I love the stadium and running through the historic uptown district. And, in terms of the fan support and the expo, it was just a great feeling. It was truly a great event. I do the Utica Boilermaker and, I think, this is right up there. It’s a truly hidden gem of the upstate racing circuit.”

If you don’t want to run or walk the Classic, join a Fan Zone or create your own. Fan Zones are set along the race course to encourage and motivate the runners as they pass by. Each Fan Zone will compete against each other for a chance to win cash rewards for a charity. In 2011, $500 went to the Kingston High School Band, $250 to the Kingston Fireman’s Museum and $150 to St. Joseph’s School.

“The Kiwanis does a tremendous job of putting this together,” said Lake Katrine resident Tim Quilty, a Classic veteran. “There is a real community feeling to this one, especially with the Fan Zone. Instead of just one or two groups cheering along the course, it was steady.”

New this year is a ‘Classic Training Camp’. All pre-registered runners signed up before February 15^th will be eligible to sign up for an 8 week special training camp hosted by MAC Fitness. Sessions will be held at the 9W location in Kingston Sundays starting February 26^th. These sessions will be focusing on stretching, strength programs, discussion of running form, hydration, nutrition and more.

Online registration is encouraged at www.kiwaniskingstonclassic.com. All pre-registered runners families and friends are invited to attend a pasta dinner the night before the big race on Saturday, April 14^th from 5 – 7 p.m. The cost is $5.00 per person. Entertainment for the evening will be hosted by the Ponytails. Pre-race packets will be made available for pickup during the pasta dinner. 

“This is our second year hosting the Kingston Classic under the direction of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston. There is tremendous support from the community to make this event a success. And this year marks the 30^th year of the Classic and many special events are planned to celebrate,” said Greg Riley, Race Director, Kiwanis Kingston Classic.

Run or walk through the streets of Kingston and support a great cause. For more information please visit us online at www.kiwaniskingstonclassic.com or call Greg Riley, Race Director at (845) 514-4654. You can also visit us on Facebook.

About Kiwanis

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds and raise funds for pediatric research. We help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged and care for the sick. Working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. And along the way, club members share friendship and laughter.