Boston Marathon Qualifying Race Is Returning to Kingston

If you are a runner, or it's always been a dream of yours to run in the Boston Marathon, the annual Kiwanis Kingston Classic is coming to Ulster County on April 24. Get those running shoes out of the closet, it's time to start training.

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein today was joined by City of Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, HITS Endurance CEO Tom Struzzieri and Steve Klein President of the Kiwanis, to announce the popular Kiwanis Kingston Classic presented by HITS Endurance. There will be five distance events: a “Friends & Family Mile,” a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, and the full marathon which is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Registering early will save you money. If you register by April 16, entry fees are $30 per person for the 10K race and $25 for the 5K.  Entry fees will increase one week before race day. The marathon registration fees are $95, until April 23, and then go up to $105, while the half-marathon registration is $80, until April 23, and then they will be $90.

According to the Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, many of the race’s enhancements are designed to appeal to local families.  The new race-day schedule has all events taking place in the morning which will allow families to race different distances while starting and finishing their events at similar times.  In addition, the Kiwanis Club will host family-friendly activities so relatives and friends of participants can stay entertained while cheering for their favorite runners.

Registration for the Kingston Classic is currently open and you can sign-up here.