Kinston Run the River

Last spring, this event had a field of over 230 registered entries. Kiprono Kurgat won the 8K race as he covered the flat downtown route in 23:31 breaking his own course record by 11 seconds.  The course record also fell in the women’s competition as Susan Jerotich ran 27:13 – 32 seconds under the old women’s course mark.

The reason for the fast times is the race annually draws an elite field who are attracted by the flat course and the $1,900 prize purse.

Last year a 5,000 meter race was added with a $800 prize purse.  Mosa Gwanzura (16:44) and Regan Hannant (24:09) took top honors taking home $200 each.  This 2014 was the first year that course had been run, both are course records..

The mile begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 8K and 5K start together at 9:00 a.m.

In the featured 8K, once again, the race will offer cash awards to the winners - $500 each to the first-place male and female finishers, $300 in cash to the second-place finishers and $150 to the third-place finishers. There also is a $100 bonus to any male or female setting a new course record.

Cash prizes will also be awarded in the 5K - $200 each to the first-place male and female finishers, $100 in cash to the second-place finishers and $50 to the third-place finishers. .

In both the 5K and 8K, medals will also be given to the first two finishers in each of the following age groups: (both sexes) 15-under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-over. The top three male and the top three female finishers from Lenior County will also receive $50 each.

In the mile, each finisher receives a medal.

A pre-race party for runners, volunteers and spectators will be held at 6 pm Friday, the 27th, at the Community Council for the Arts located at 400 North Queen Street. Race packets can be picked up and late entrants can register at that time.

Race packets can be also be picked up and late entrants can register on race day beginning at 7:00 am by the Farmer’s Market.