The Duchess County Classic was held last September, as it has been every year for more than four decades.
You may not have noticed. After all, there were no roadblocks or police patrolling the area. There was no request for volunteers to build water tables, and there was no sense of friendship after the race. There were not even bibs.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the local road race calendar crown was held last year, just like the other races. Runners are invited to run on their own and spend their time online.
This is one of the reasons why a lot of power goes through the doors of the Fleet this week.
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Kim Carso, vice-president of the Hudson Road Runners’ Club, a runner-up in the running shoe store, has been talking about the return of the classic. Some have described how Sunday’s event will be the first physical event since the outbreak.
“They are happy and they will tell us their story,” said Caruso. There is much joy in the community right now, just to get back on track.
The show is back to its 43rd year, using the same courses it received in 2019 on the Duchess Railway and the Hudson Railway. All races start and end at Duchess Community College.
But while the classic is in person, there are still COVID-19 safety measures that will change the date slightly.
Thus, races require non-runners to close, especially the railroad and sidewalks.
As of Tuesday night, there were 992 registered runners, and the Hudson Road Middle Runners Club expects about 1,000 participants. Registration for races: Full and half marathon, which includes hiking above Hudson, and five-kilometer run-only online, open until Saturday at 5:30 p.m. No date registration.
No one-mile race will be held this year because it does not allow programming. Carso expects to return next year.
Unlike in previous years, capacity limits were limited to races, and teams were sent by storm every two minutes. Both are for safety reasons to reduce traffic congestion.
“The runners are eager to get there,” said Caruso. Everything is going well.
The event marked the return of organized racing. Residents have long praised the feeling of running on the sidewalk.
The Duchess County Classic has been held for several years, primarily in Lagarine and Wapiper. But course changes were made two years ago – and following the cancellation of the Walking Marathon series, the marathon itself was revived long ago.
” In 2019, we decided to partner with what happened to the old pedestrian marathon, ”said Caruso. “The two races became hybrids, that’s what happened there.”
Roads for runners
At Duchess Community College, all races start in the parking lot “E”, with different race routes.
Runners on the 13.2-mile half-marathon start on South Creek Road, then descend to the west. It will continue on the bridge at Route 55, before turning and turning east by the railroad tracks. Then the road back to the college.
The 26.2-mile marathon will start in the same way as the half marathon, but before it turns around, it will go to Walton Lake on the train. All event support ends at 2:30 p.m., marathon runners must be able to run at one mile per minute
Runners in the 5K start south on Creek Road before entering the Morgan Lake Park and heading straight to the train station. The road goes downhill, then turns right onto the train tracks. The road faces east, passes through a tunnel under Creek Road, and runners reach a two-mile mark after crossing the North Grand Avenue. Runners will then return to Creek Road and College.
Creek Road will be closed to traffic between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.
The train will be closed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and participants are advised to stay left during the race to maintain traffic flow for each race.
The walkway will be closed to pedestrians until 11 p.m.
The Duchess County Sheriff’s Office is monitoring security with the help of Pokepsi Police. Ambulance said ambulances were on the scene and over the phone if anyone needed medical attention.
Running help stations are set up along the way, allowing runners to fill and drink with the water and energy provided.
The effect of covide
The classic may be returning to normal, but the epidemic is still affecting the organization this year.
Instead of starting each race at the same time, runners in 50 teams “start to stumble”.
“It’s good for two things,” said Caruso. “No. 1, Coward’s precautions. So people are not in a really big team for a long time until the race starts. This way, go to the curve quickly, take it out, start running.
Half and full marathon wheelchair contenders will start at 6:55 p.m.
To prevent overcrowding, this year’s 5k was held by a total of 710 runners with 375 participants.
Scheduling, Caruso, organizing one-mile children’s competitions is prohibited.
“He is totally depressed. We were hoping to put something else together, we really didn’t have time to do it, ”she said of the children’s preparation. But it will be a priority next year to ensure that. It’s really important for the club. During a busy start, it was a bit difficult this year because we didn’t have the right window. ”
AJ Martelli: 845-437-4836, amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, Twitter @AJ_Martelli
43rd Annual Duchess County Classic
Where: Duchess Community College, 40 Creek Road, Pokemon
When: Sunday; Pre-registration only
Marathon: 26.2 miles race, waves begin at 7 p.m. $ 70 registered
Half Marathon: 13.1 Mile Race, Waves begin at 7 p.m. $ 65 registered
5K: 3.1 mile race, waves begin at 8 p.m. $ 30 registered
Wheelchair marathon; It starts at 6:55 p.m. $ 60 registered
Wheelchair half marathon; It starts at 6:55 p.m. $ 50 registered
Registration
Available online until Saturday DutchessCountyClassic.org