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The Dutchess County Classic began as the Dutchess County Marathon. The first marathon was in 1979 and was organized by Eric Borchennis (elected race director), Tom Butland, Joe Maggi, Bob Rother, and Pete Sanfilippo.

14

The first Dutchess County Marathon, in 1979, began in Freedom Park and was a three loop course. A total of 62 runners completed the race. Winners were Paul Fletscher of West Hempstead (2:38:42) and Margarete Deckert of LaGrangeville (3:22:04)

13

Bob Rother was the race director of the Dutchess County Marathon in 1980, 1981 and 1982. Bob passed away in 2004, but he is fondly remembered by many club members. The club's annual Turkey Trot 25K is the Bob Rother Memorial Run. You can read some Bob Rother stories by Lynne Kopac and Bob Kopac on this site.

12

In 1983, at the request of the mayor of Poughkeepsie, a new race course was drawn, turning the Dutchess Marathon into a true “county” marathon as part of Dutchess County’s Tricentennial Celebration. The course started in the City of Poughkeepsie and traveled south down Route 9 through Wappingers Falls to the Fishkill Drive-In movie theater (now the location of the ShopRite) before returning north, through Red Oaks Mill and finishing in the city by the old Lucky Platt store. Race director and course architect was Pete Sanfilippo.

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In 1984, the Classic moved to its current three-town course, starting at Van Wyck Junior High School in Fishkill Plains. A half marathon was added and nearly 300 runners competed in the event. The Classic course has remained virtually unchanged since 1984, except for the move of the start and finish area to the Town of Wappinger Recreation area.

1986 was the first year of the three race format, when the 5K was added. In 2005, the Classic added something for younger runners: the children’s mile. The current record holders for the Kids’ 1 Mile are Sebastian Hanson in 2006, 5:36 and, for girls, Danielle Axelrod in 6:07, also in 2006.

10

In the mid-1980s, some New York City runners in the marathon were amused to note that they had to stop and wait on Laurer Road so Karl Ehmer’s cows could cross the road. NYRRC races never include cow obstacles! (Courtesy Pete Sanfilippo and Bob Kopac).

9

Hard to believe, but there have been some cheaters in the Dutchess County Classic. One was caught by Linda Stow because there was no salty sweat on the runner’s body. A few other runners missed the second checkpoint but somehow crossed the finish line (but this did not affect the trophy winners).Since then, our security and checking has greatly improved. We have been rated one of the best small marathons! (Courtesy of Irv Miller).

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Another unforeseen obstacle on the Dutchess County Classic course (besides the cows):

The runners had to hurdle fire hoses stretched across the road from the  LaGrange Town Hall to a nearby pond because the volunteer fire department had decided to practice on Classic day. (Courtesy of Bob Kopac).

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Coach Steve Perks won the 1981 DC marathon in 2:36:50 when it was a three loop course. This record held for one year. He won again in 1984 on the current course (except beginning and ending at Van Wyck Middle School) in 2:35:16 for a course record which held until 1992, when Mark Coleman finished in a time of 2:33:15. Steve also won the 5K in 1987 in 16:02.

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In 2000, Irv Miller was the first Dutchess County resident to complete the marathon (15th overall) as well as the oldest runner in the race (he was 61).

In 2004, father/son Jeff and Anthony Nero both won in the Classic. Anthony (age 26) won the marathon (2:50:45) and Jeff  (age 54) was second in his age group in the half (Jeff’s average pace of 6:51 was just one second slower than his son’s).

Anthony Nero, coached by Steve Perks at John Jay High School, had the fastest 10K time in the U.S. at the ESG qualifiers in 1996. Running fast is also part of daughter Mary Nero’s skills, who ran in college for NC Greensboro and recently won fastest overall female in the same race where brother Anthony was fastest overall male.

5

Conni Grace has won the Dutchess County Classic Half three times:

• 2001, 1:25:12
• 2005, 1:27:54
• 2006, 1:27:02

A focused and talented athlete, this year Conni met her goal of running a sub 3 hour marathon, despite a nagging injury. Conni is an officer of MHRRC, responsible for the race calendar.

4

Mike Slinskey has been a Classic winner in the half and 5K as well as holding two course records:

• 1988, Half, 1:13:24
• 1991, Half, 1:11:00
• 1992, Half, 1:07:42
• 1993, Half, 1:07:13 (course record)
• 1998, 5K, 15:13 (course record)
• 2002, Half, 1:10:05

A nationally recognized runner, Mike also gives back to the club in numerous ways, including directing the February "Sweat" Heart race, speaking to Marathon Project students, attending and contributing to club meetings, and providing encouragement to many local runners.

3

Marisa Hanson has been winning the 5K for many years:

• 1989: 18:04
• 1991: 17:55
• 1994: 17:50
• 1995: 17:26
• 1996: 16:57 (course record)
• 1997: 17:23
• 2000: 17:57
• 2001: 17:26
• 2002: 17:29
• 2003: 17:30
• 2004: 17:35
• 2005: 17:17
• 2006: 17:22

In addition to running, Marissa and husband Rich direct the popular Twilight Track Series each summer.

2

In the early 2000s, tired runners coming down the home stretch of Robinson Lane were greeted by some loud, beating music, courtesy of Pete Saretto and Ed Dolank. In 2002, Pete did an Elvis impersonation. In 2003, Pete dressed up like Marilyn Monroe and Ed was Elvis. For 2004, Pete, Ed and Ed’s family impersonated the Village People. Then, in 2005, it was the Blues Brothers.

The morning after the 2002 race, Pete’s wife, Sally Saretto, who was busy running during all of this frivolity, rushed down the driveway at the break of dawn to see the newspaper reports of the race. Imagine her surprise when she saw her name as a marathon finisher in type about 1/32 inches high and Pete and Ed’s picture on the front page! Moral of the story: if you want to get in the paper, dress up as Elvis instead of running a marathon. (courtesy of Sally Saretto).

Pete and Ed: we will miss you this year. Hope you come back next year.

1

Dutchess County Classic course records are:

• Men’s full: Art Green, 2001, 2:30:33
• Women’s full: : Dana Parrot, 1997, 2:48:16
• Men’s Half, Mike Slinskey, 1993 1:07:13
• Women’s Half: Lisa Vaill, 1998, 1:18:01
• Men’s 5K: Mike Slinskey, 1998, 15:13
• Women’s 5K: Marisa Hanson, 1996, 16:57
• Boys Kids Mile: Sebastian Hanson, 2006, 5:36
• Girls Kids Mile: Danielle Axelrod, 2006, 6:07