5th annual race set for Mar. 27, 2010

Run for the River Plans Underway

The top three male runners in Pride of Kinston’s Run for the River celebrate their winnings March 28, 2009. Left to right: Third place, Musa Gwanzura of Roanoke Rapds; second place Ryan Woods of Boone and first place Devin Swann of Raleigh.

Pride of Kinston's planning team for the 5th annual Kinston 8000: Run for the River has eased into high gear, anticipating the largest gathering of Tar Heel runners so far in the five years of the race history.

Jim Young of Young & Associates, the Raleigh firm which administers the Run for the River finish line, says he has noted a large upswing - compared to last year - in the number of runners signing up for the various races around the State. This trend bodes well for the Kinston 8000, he says, a race which now draws participants from all sections—the mountains, piedmont and coastal plains—of North Carolina. This includes runners from neighboring states as well as from the various military installations clustered in eastern North Carolina.

In addition to a fast course which earns praise from seasoned athletes, Pride's cash awards for the fastest runners is considered by many competitors to be a tempting draw for talent. Top male and female runners receive $500 each for finishing in first place, $300 each for second place, and $150 each for third place.

All participants in the companion One Mile Fun Run win a medal for participating.

The top runner in 2009 was Raleigh runner Devin Swann who ran the 4.97 mile course through Kinston in a scorching 24 minutes and 18 seconds. He was closely followed by Boone runner Ryan Woods. It was the second year that the two men repeated their one-two winning ways in Kinston. Third place male runner in 2009 was Musa Gwanzura, native of Zimbabwe then living in Roanoke Rapids.

Course slightly altered

The 8K course has been slightly altered: the race will begin at the Rotary Dog Park on Hwy 11 at the Hwy 11/Hwy. 70 By Pass (Skinner By Pass) which will give runners a straight shot on King Street into downtown. A couple of blocks in historic Mitchelltown have been added to the route to complete the 4.97 mile course. The 8K course has been re-certified for its accuracy.

The top three male runners in the Kinston 8000: Run for the River held Saturday (Mar. 29, 2008) sprint down Queen Street on the way to setting course records for the event. From left to right, First Place Devin Swann of Raleigh, with a time of 24:51; Second Place Ryan Woods of Boone with a time of 25:21; and Third Place runner Tom Clifford of Wrightsville Beach. The record set in 2007 was 25:58 set by Greenville runner Michael Earle. (Photo by Charles Buchanan, courtesy of the Kinston Free Press.)

The popular One Mile Fun Run will begin at 8:30 am and end within Neuseway Nature Center as usual. A shuttle will transport 8K runners from the registration booth to the new starting line prior to the race start at 9:00 am. Registration for both races will begin at 7:00 am March 27, 2010 in Neuseway Nature Center. Registration fees through March 26, 2010 is $20.00 per runner; Race day the fee goes to $25 per runner.

Pride's Outdoor Events Team, headed by Pride treasurer Kevin Zoltek, began working on plans for the 5th race last Fall. If history is any judge, the race will attract nearly as many local volunteers as runners.

"We couldn't do with this without our wonderful volunteers - plus support from the City of Kinston and the Kinston-Lenoir Parks and Recreation Department," according to Zoltek. "Sponsors are also a big factor in our successes, and we are truly grateful," he added. Tim Knobeloch of the recreation agency is the race director.

Volunteers Briefing

A volunteers briefing will be held at 6:00 pm Friday, March 26, 2010 at the Hampton Inn, followed by a complimentary dinner for runners, sponsors and volunteers. Early registration will be provided at the orientation.

The first Pride-sponsored race was held March 2006, launched after a community task force urged the downtown revitalization agency to pursue sporting events as a strategy to attract people to Kinston's downtown. The event has steadily increased in popularity among area residents and regional and state runners.

Runners can register on-line by going to www.downtownkinston.com and pay fees through PayPal. Otherwise registration forms are available through many area gyms and at Pride of Kinston at 327 N. Queen Street in Kinston (28501).