We are pleased to announce registration for the 2019 Kalamazoo Klassic, Kids’ Klassic & Maple Hill Climb Challenge is now OPEN! The 41st annual event, presented in partnership by Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) and MRC Industries, Inc., will be held June 14th and 15th, 2019.
Click here for more information and registration
5k Run Selected as RRCA National Championship
The 5k Run has been selected as a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) National Championship event. The goal of the RRCA Championship Event Series is to celebrate and shine a spotlight on well-run, community-focused events and to award top performing runners in the open, masters (40+), grand masters (50+) and senior grand masters (60+) categories for both men and women.
Finisher Medals
Thanks to the generosity of Mercantile Bank, we are pleased to announce all 5k run/walk and 10k run participants will receive a custom 2″ finisher’s medal upon completion of each race.
Soft Weave Shirts
Back by popular demand, participants in the 5k run/walk and 10k run will receive a soft weave polyester/rayon/cotton blend shirt.
Maple Hill Climb Challenge (10k)
Thanks to the generosity of Macs Sports Timing, participants in the 10k will automatically be entered into the Maple Hill Climb Challenge, and will be timed from the bottom to the top of Maple Hill.
Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers with the fastest Maple Hill ascent in Open, Masters, Grand Masters and Senior Grand Masters divisions.
About the Event
Experience the famous Maple Hill in the 10k race, cruise down one of the fastest USATF certified 5k courses in the area or tackle both on Saturday, June 15th.
Friday evening, June 14th, kids ages 15 and under participate in the 1K and/or 2K events FREE of charge. T-shirts to the first 300 pre-registered children. The event is capped at 500.
Endorsements
The 5k course is USATF certified and the 10k course is pending re-certification.
The 5k Run has been selected as Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) National Championship.
Event Date, Time & Location
The Kids’ Klassic 1k and 2k event, organized by Gazelle Sports, is Friday evening, June 14th at 6:00pm and starts on Hudson Street in front of the Maple YMCA.
The Kalamazoo Klassic 10k Run and 5k Run/Walk is Saturday morning, June 15th. The 10k run starts at 7:30am and the 5k run/walk starts at 9:00am, both at the top of the hill on Maple Street.
Mission and Beneficiary
The purpose of the Kalamazoo Klassic is to promote diversity, community and overall health and well-being while raising funds that benefit individuals with disabilities. Last year, 1390 participants took part in this community tradition.
Proceeds benefit MRC Industries, Inc. (www.mrcindustries.org), a local non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization with the mission to encourage and support individuals living with a disability to achieve their fullest potential through employment, skill-building and active community involvement.
MRC serves approximately 700 individuals each year with the philosophy that every person is unique, valued and entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. This philosophical framework results in programs and services focused on an individual’s needs, desires, strengths and abilities.
The mission of the Kalamazoo Area Runners (www.kalamazooarearunners.org) is to promote a healthy lifestyle through the sport of running while enhancing the quality of life in the community. Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) is the largest running club in the state of Michigan with nearly 1,000 members.
For more information, registration and volunteer opportunities visit www.kalamazooklassic.org