Community buzzing with return of Walkway races – Poughkeepsie Journal

Runners, including a lung cancer survivor and a family pushing a stroller, react after competing in the 40th annual Dutchess County Classic in LaGrange. Stephen Haynes, Poughkeepsie Journal

The new-look Dutchess County Classic has the community buzzing — and not just the running community.

Going to an event at my church one weekday night last week, our pastor came up to me, face beaming with excitement, and said something like: “Hey, great to see the Walkway race coming back.” That’s been the general buzz, among runners and non-runners, that they’re excited about the return of the Walkway races — although facts being facts, it’s not technically the “Walkway” race.

Most local folks are equating the 41st annual Dutchess County Classic with the now shuttered Walkway Marathon race series. That’s because the Walkway races featured a marathon, half marathon and 5K, predominantly on the Walkway Over the Hudson and the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail. This pretty much describes the new-look Classic. As a result, the confusion is completely understandable. Fair enough.

Labels aside, the revamped Dutchess County Classic, which will start and finish at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, definitely has re-energized the running community in a way that the Walkway event did during its brief but successful history. This event promises to be even better, as it is being organized by the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club and will benefit the year-round operation of the MHRRC. The phrase “by runners, for runners” comes to mind, and that most definitely is a good thing.

New Classic race director Susanne O’Neil epitomizes the “by runners, for runners” philosophy. She shuns the spotlight and would prefer us to put the emphasis on the event, the volunteers and of course the participants, which she and the club hope to number in the thousands. Judging by the early enthusiasm surrounding the Classic — the Sept. 15 races are nearly half-a-year away — anything’s possible.

“I am personally very excited about the changes,” Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie owner and MHRRC vice president Kim Caruso said. “The Walkway races made the Hudson Valley a destination for runners from other towns, states and even other countries. I am very excited to once again put Poughkeepsie back on the running map.’’

New MHRRC president Justin Feldman echoed this sentiment. “I also think the opportunity to bring people to the Hudson Valley is great,” he said. “And with the club’s mission to help spread running in the community, having a large event annually will really help us grow the number of runners.”

Feldman said that after last year’s 40th annual Classic, which was staged from Arlington Middle School in LaGrange, the club was searching for a “new and exciting direction” for the race. He said the club’s board of directors approached Dutchess County and Dutchess County Tourism about the idea, and the wheels were set in motion for 2019.

Given that runners and walkers use the Walkway and the DRT on a daily basis pretty much year-round, they’ll literally be right at home on the Classic course, Feldman said. “I think it will be great to have a set course, and something people can count on year after year,” he said.

Caruso said she was excited to see the 26.2-mile marathon returning to the Classic lineup. The last time the Classic had a marathon was in 2007. It was discontinued due to low entry numbers. She said an advantage to the new Classic marathon as opposed to the Walkway 26.2-miler is the potential for more favorable long-distance running weather.

“The weather conditions in June were a big concern for runners and spectators,” she said, “and while we can’t control the weather, September seems to be a more ideal time for a marathon.”

Caruso said Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie will fully embrace the race and mobilize local runners with training groups. Since the store opened, Caruso has done a great job in mustering and creating a community feel. An example: Last week, the store hosted a 3.14-mile “Pi Day” run, complete with shirts to commemorate the wonky math symbol.

Fleet Feet racing team members have been all over the past several Classic races, and this year should be even more enhanced, she said. The race has special meaning to her as well, as the 2015 Classic was her first half marathon. Because she is a club officer this year, though, she will be too busy to enter as a participant.

“I’ve run it every year since 2015, so this race is very special to me personally,” she said. “The last two years, my Fleet Feet training groups have had an amazing presence at the event and brought new energy and excitement to the event. It will be difficult not to run, but I look forward to participating in a different and even more meaningful way this year.”

As the new club president, taking over for the innovative, successful and incredibly energetic Keith Axelrod — who also doubled as the Classic race director — Feldman said he was hoping the 2019 Classic would build a foundation for future Classics as well as set a new course for the old club. Feldman calls the Classic the club’s and the area’s “marquee” running event, drawing runners of all ages and abilities.

“The goal this year is to try and put on a great event that is of the high quality and caliber people have come to expect from larger races,” Feldman said. “I think with that we can grow our reputation and help the race grow year after year. This year’s goal is to build that foundation. I also want it to be a fun event for non-runners — something the community as a whole can look forward to.”

Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club member Pete Colaizzo, the track coach at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, writes on running every week in Players. He can be reached at runhed246@hotmail.com. For more club information, go to www.mhrrc.org

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