July 4th will be a busy day in Kingston. Rotarians will be helping families to “rise and shine” with the Kingston 4th of July Fun Run.
Clint Boxman is co-chairman of the Fun Run, with Dave Roberts of the Kingston Running Club. This event has something for all running skill levels: 10K, 5K and 1-mile dash that will benefit the efforts of the Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club and the Kingston Running Club.
The annual 4th of July Fun Run is now in its sixth year. While competitive runners are welcome to participate, runners of all ages are invited to join in this family-friendly event. And you don’t have to be a runner to participate — you can walk through the course. Non-runners need to know that 10K is 6.2 miles and 5K is 3.1 miles. Last year there were several family entries- including moms or dads with a young one in a stroller.
Registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Kingston Medical Center located at Barber Cutoff Road. You’ll want to arrive early to pick up your T-shirt and get your registration number before the race begins at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration is available online up until July 1 at www.kingstonrunning.org. At that same web address, you can learn more details about the event. However, if on the day of the event you feel like running, there will be on-site registration, with a $5 late fee. Entry fees range from $5 to $25 depending on your age group and event.
Boxman will be out early that morning putting up directional signs to guide you through the courses. Rotarians will be stationed at various intersections to control traffic, allowing the runners to continue without stopping.
The 10K course is challenging in that there are some elevation changes.
All courses finish at Village Green Park, where runners will receive their times and awards. New to this year’s fun run will be an electronic chip timing system. Morgan Stanley is one of the major sponsors of this event, along with several local entities that have provided prizes.
The 4th of July Fun Run is also a “Fund Run.” Proceeds will benefit the Kingston Running Club, enabling them to send youngsters to running camps in the summer months. Kingston Rotary Club also benefits from the run, using the funds for its SPARK Projects—Schools and Parks Around Kingston.
So if you are looking for a great way to begin a fun-filled day, consider joining your friends and neighbors in the Kingston Fun Run. Not only will you have a prime parking space for the parade which starts later in the day, but you’ll also be supporting an event that benefits our Kingston community.
