Press Releases

Race director thrilled with event's progress

By Pete Colaizzo, Running columnist

With a little more than two weeks remaining before the 29th annual Dutchess County Classic on Sunday, Sept. 16, race director Keith Axelrod is pumped up!

He announced Tuesday that the number of preregistered runners had topped the 300 mark - ahead of the 2006 pace. And then on Wednesday, as I was speaking with him on the telephone, he checked the online registrations at www.active.com and noticed another 20-plus entrants had come in overnight.

Axelrod said the half-marathon registration numbers have skyrocketed, with many out-of-town competitors already signed up. He noted that the 5K numbers usually spike as the race date approaches.

Axelrod also said he would like to see more entrants in the Kids Classic 1-mile race, an event he created four years ago. Each year, the race numbers for the kids have gone up, with 2006 seeing 123 children in the race. He'd like that number to top 200 this year. "We're really trying to boost that up, get parents to bring their kids out to run,'' he said.

The volunteer support during this pre-race period is very strong, Axelrod said. In particular, he cited Marathon Project coordinator Susanne O'Neil for helping out and becoming a vital member of the race preparation team. "She has really jumped in with a lot of enthusiasm, willing to do whatever is asked,'' Axelrod said. "She's like my right-hand man. She's like another assistant race director to me, along with Irv Miller.''

O'Neil heads the Marathon Project, which has mobilized at-risk youths in Beacon and Poughkeepsie to get running. Since its kick-off back in March, Marathon Project students and their mentors have increased their mileage in preparation for the goal race - the Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon in November.

Marathon Project participants will be part of the Classic this year, thanks to O'Neil's encouragement. It's just part of the momentum building to the 2007 Dutchess County Classic, which has a chance to be the largest edition of the race.

"We're at a point now where all the volunteers are working hard and getting ready for this race,'' Axelrod said. "It's really, really positive right now.''

Online registration at www.active.com is ongoing. As a reminder, online registrants can enter the race at a reduced entry fee. Paper applications are available as well, and will be mailed at your request by calling 845-437-4848, and leaving a name and address.

Keep checking the Poughkeepsie Journal Players section in the coming weeks for continued pre-race coverage of the Classic, or check coverage online at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/dcclassic.