EXACTLY four weeks from today, it’s the unofficial start of the running season with the 2-mile Shamrock Run in the city of Kingston.

This is the 24th edition of the popular race that steps off in front of Kingston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Team Ireland and the Ulster County Ancient Order of Hibernians, the organizers of the race, always present a top-notch product and this year is no exception.

The race, which attracts thousands of runners of all shapes, sizes and abilities, starts at 12:50 p.m. on March 11 near the Academy Green in Kingston.

Last year, the race set a new attendance mark with 4,069 entrants.

ORGANIZERS are hoping that many runners decide to register early as the entry fee (currently $10) doubles to $20 after March 1.

The starting line is on Albany Avenue near Academy Green, then runners head down Broadway and to the finish line on the Strand.

Race-day registration takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by the Gov. Clinton Apartments.

The festive post-race party begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Rondout Neighborhood Center and as has been the tradition, green bagels and beverages will be the main fare.

One lucky runner will be selected at the post-race raffle as the winner of two round trip airline tickets to Ireland. Continued...

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BESIDES the coveted longsleeve t-shirt that is associated with the race, organizers once again plan to hand out special gifts to each finisher at the end of the run.

What that gift will be is a guarded secret.

A trophy to the school with the most pre-registered entrants will be presented afterward.

Another tradition is that Team Ireland yearly picks a charity to benefit from the proceeds of the race and this year’s selection is the Washbourne House for survivors of domestic violence operated by Family of Woodstock.

ONE DOLLAR from each entry is donated to the selected charity and after the race, monies are normally added to that total to even out the amount.

The Irish Cultural Center of the Hudson Valley also receives a portion of the race proceeds.

Additionally, the race will be run in honor of Pfc. Douglas L. Cordo, a Kingston native who died last summer while serving for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

Cordo ran in last year’s race and was said to have run in many of the previous Shamrock Run races as well.

Cordo’s family is likely to be on hand at the special ceremony memorializing him at the start line.

While runners await the starting gun, entertainment will be provided by Irish step dancers from Celtic Heels and the Celtic band, Mac Talla Mor. Continued...

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Sponsors for the race include Ryan & Ryan Insurance, Erie Insurance, Daily Freeman, Keegan Ales, Timely Signs, Carey Construction, Gillette Creamery, EV Company, Heritagenergy, and Anaconda Sports.

Members of Team Ireland are race director Bob Ryan Jr., Jim Kelley Smith, Greg Riley, Dave Shahbazian, Dan Chidester, Bob Nanz, Paul Hakim, Dan Gruner, Pat Mulvaney, Rich Gillette, Joe Deegan, Greg Cherny and Bob Carey.

More information about the race can be found at www.shamrockrunners.org.

YMCA INDOOR TRI COMING UP

On Feb. 26, the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County is hosting its annual indoor triathlon, beginning at 8 a.m.

The race includes a 15-minute swim in the YMCA pool, 20-minute ride on an exercise bike and a 20-minute run on the indoor track.

Entry fee is $30 and if you would prefer to compete as a team, organizers will match you up with another interested team member.

You can get more information online at www.ymcaulster.org or by calling (845) 338-3810.

Please send all race results and information to 79 Hurley Ave., Kingston, N.Y., 12401; fax to (845) 331-3557 or email to ehoughtaling@freemanonline.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/runerichrun

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