Kingston runners of all ages will gather early for the Fourth of July Fun Run and the start of a busy day in Kingston.

Check-in and registration tables will be set up at the Kingston Medical Center at 26001 Barber Cutoff Road in Kingston. Runners of all ages will pick up their T-shirts, race numbers and race maps.

The race begins at 9 a.m., but runners are encouraged to arrive early to complete their check-in. Registration tables will be open from 7-8:30 a.m.

In past races, there have been moms pushing baby strollers, dads pulling the little ones in a wagon, and even people that race with their dog beside them. There are no awards given for creativity, but it is fun to watch some of the more unusual entries.

Dave Roberts started the Fourth of July Fun Run, now in its ninth year. When Roberts joined Kingston Rotary, the Fourth of July Fun Run became a joint fund-raiser of the Kingston Running Club and Kingston-NK Rotary. The proceeds benefit Rotary, and also help fund the Kingston High School track and cross-country teams.

Runners can choose between three races: a 10K race, a 5K race, and a 1-mile race. Registration forms, course maps and elevations are available at www.kingstonrunning.net. Preregistration is encouraged to speed the check-in process and also to save money. Preregistration fees are $25 per adult and $20 for those 18 and younger or older than 60. An additional $10 fee will be added for day-of-race registration.

Kingston Rotarians will be staffing the check-in and registration tables, distributing T-shirts, directing traffic, assisting with timing, and presenting awards shortly after each race. All three races finish at the Village Green Park.

After the cleanup of Village Green Park and the Kingston Medical Center, Rotarians will meet to march in the Fourth of July Parade. Watch for the blue antique car and the blue Rotary banner to see who was chosen “Rotarian of the Year”.

Rotary’s new president, Stan Mack, will join club members and honorees in the parade.

Mack and his wife, Jane, moved to Kingston in 2002 in preparation for retirement from the Navy in 2003. Mack worked for BAE Systems at Keyport for five years before the couple moved to Eugene, Oregon, in 2007. At that time, he began and continues to work for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

Mack and his wife returned to Kingston in 2010 and he joined Rotary in February 2013. Mack likes Rotary for the fellowship, community service, and fun. He feels Rotary is making a difference in the world and in our local community.

“Jane and I have been active in supporting the Village Green Community Center, and we are both involved with Kingston Cares (Severe Weather Shelter and Food for Kids),” he said. “We love Kingston, and we are willing to work to keep improving our community,” Mack said.

If you would like to know more about Rotary, join us at our weekly meeting at noon Wednesday at the Village Green Community Center.