KIDS' CLASSIC Triply Fun Photos and Story by Carol Goodrow April 24, 2004 It was blue skies for the 8th Annual Kids' Classic at Kingston, New York. Kids of all ages came to the Dietz Stadium for a day of running fun. Daily Freeman Alumni Fun Run The Kids' Classic is a volunteer-driven organization. Dan Bigelow, one-time-recipient of Runner's World magazine's Golden Shoe Award, acts as race director. Dan has spearheaded the creation of an organized and successful town event built around running. What else would you expect from a retired principal, who's a dedicated runner, still practicing the techniques of Arthur Lydiard, training hard, competing in local races, and concerned with his splits, intervals, and personal bests? His volunteer staff include members of the YMCA, the Oteora Runners Club, the Kingston Teachers Volunteers, members of the local high school honor society, along with other town individuals. The "marketing" is clever. This year's Kids' Classic ran from 9:30 a.m. to 1:10 p.m., with 11 separate events; each named after a sponsor. The youngest boys were running "Van Keeck's Tire" Pre-school 50 Meter Fun Run. This event was followed by the "Peak Performance Sports" Kindergarten 50 Meter Fun Run. Kingston's Kids' Classic, is just that, classic model town event. All towns should have a similar event - one that involves children of all ages, treats everyone like winner, has age-graded distances and events, with the option of doing a short- or long distance (mile) event. Volunteers and alumni are recognized and honored. There are T-shirts and awards for all and the emphasis is on having fun, staying healthy and just doing your best. For those of you planning your own town events, here is the Kids' Classic Events Schedule. 9:30 a.m. Daily Freeman Alumni Fun Run 10 a.m. Sunshine Tees and Embroidery Grade 5-8 Mile 10:30 a.m. Kingston Teachers Federation Grade 1-4 Mile 11 a.m. Van Kleeck'stire Pre-school 50 Meter Fun Run 11:15 a.m. Peak Performance Sports Kindergarten 50 Meter Fun Run 11:30 a.m. Hannaford First Grade 100 Meters 11:50 a.m. Mickey's Igloo ll Second Grade 200 Meters 12:10 p.m. Ulster Federal Credit Union Third Grade 300 Meters 12:30 p.m. Shoprite Fourth Grade 400 Meters 12:50 p.m. Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted House Fifth Grade 600 Meters 1:10 p.m. Mid Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Relays Every child at this event was a "winner". Each left with a ribbon, patch, visor, or trophy. For me, this was an exciting event for another reason. I was invited to do my first real "book signing" for my new book Happy Feet, Healthy Food. I was pleased with the pleasant stream of parents who came by with their children to preview or purchase my book. I like to show my book to the children, telling them that it contains "stories of my life", and that when they begin to write in it, they will be turning it into the stories of their lives. First to come by my table. Grandmother reminisces about running the 800 as a teen in Germany. Now she's here to see her granddaughter run. Boys love to write, play soccer, and run. Mom's happy with the book. She's a nurse and is more than aware of how important healthy lifestyles are. Literacy and education at a kids' running event? Well, what else would you expect from a retired principal acting as a race director! To contact the race director please E-mail Dan Bigelow at Coachdbig@aol.com. Happy Feet, Healthy Food is a Breakaway Books publication. Did you miss my table at the Kids' Classic? You can still order Happy Feet, Healthy Food. http://www.kidsrunning.com/news/happyfeetorders.html Article from the Daily Freeman E-mail Carol Goodrow at goodrow@infionline.net