KALAMAZOO KLASSIC'S MISSION: Promote diversity, community and overall health and well-being while raising funds that benefit individuals with disabilities.
Are you interested in being involved with one of Kalamazoo's premier events? There are outstanding promotional opportunities available for the 2008 Kalamazoo Klassic!
For more information on sponsorship and benefits please call MRC Industries at: 269.343.0747
or e-mail us at: mrcpr@mrcindustries.org
For more information on the Klassic and other racing events, check out the Kalamazoo Area Runners' website.
For more information on sponsorship and benefits please call MRC Industries at: 269.343.0747
or e-mail us at: mrcpr@mrcindustries.org
For more information on the Klassic and other racing events, check out the Kalamazoo Area Runners' website.
A big "Thank You" to all of our sponsors who made the 2008 Klassic possible:
History
Benefitting MRC Industries, Inc.
The 80s
In May 1980 a tornado ravaged downtown Kalamazoo, killing five people and causing millions of dollars in damage. The second Klassic was run a little more than a month later as Kalamazoo recovered from this blow of nature. The race date was moved to June 14, with the field capped at 1000 - and easily filled. First National Bank signed on as a major sponsor, a role that it played for many years. The year 1980 was also the debut of the turtle, a graphic T-shirt mascot that appeared off and on in different forms for most of the years of the Klassic. The front page of the Saturday Gazette had three pictures of the Klassic and described the day as "threatening sky and rolling thunder." But as we know, that doesn't deter runners.
The third Klassic (1981) grew to 1,323 participants and witnessed the return of the winners of the first Klassic. Duits and Lewis repeated their feat by finishing together in a time of 30:19. The women's race was won by WMU's Darcy Tomlinson in a very fast 35:27. Kalamazoo has always been the home of excellent Masters runners as shown by the finishes of Randy Hoffman (33:05) and Tina Hayward (39:20). Tina would go on to win the Boston Marathon Masters a few years later. The 1981 race was held on the 3rd Saturday of the month, setting a tradition followed since.
Many dedicated KTC members nurtured the race in these early years. Blaine Lam was consistently a driving force. Tom Powell, James and Linda Gregart, and Dave Mackey were heavily involved in the growth of the race. The fields were generally over 1,000, with hundreds of finishers under 40 minutes. In 1983 a 40:00 time would not have broken into the top 200 places.
The race has not been without its tragedies. In 1982, Richard Robbins, 49, collapsed 200 yards from the finish line as he was ascending Peeler Hill. Within seconds he was being treated by paramedics, but died a few days later.
When two local runners, Chris Crowell and Bruce Johnson, formed Gazelle Sports, they began a long and continuing relationship with the Klassic. In 1988 Gazelle Sports started their sponsorship of the Kids' Klassic, a 1K Kids' run on the evening before the 10K (which had been started by the KTC about 4 years earlier.) Hundreds of kids and parents line up every year for this fun family event. Several of the top runners in high school the last few years had their first experience running at the Kid's Klassic including Adriana Field and Jessie Stewart who both now run for the University of Michigan.
In 1985 the 5K race was added. Five-K races were gaining in popularity and the new distance was added to attract joggers who were not yet ready to tackle Maple Street Hill, better known as Kalamazoo's 'Heart Break Hill.'
In 1987 the finish was moved from the top of Peeler Street to the fields at South Junior High. The move allowed more room for spectators and post race activities.
In May 1980 a tornado ravaged downtown Kalamazoo, killing five people and causing millions of dollars in damage. The second Klassic was run a little more than a month later as Kalamazoo recovered from this blow of nature. The race date was moved to June 14, with the field capped at 1000 - and easily filled. First National Bank signed on as a major sponsor, a role that it played for many years. The year 1980 was also the debut of the turtle, a graphic T-shirt mascot that appeared off and on in different forms for most of the years of the Klassic. The front page of the Saturday Gazette had three pictures of the Klassic and described the day as "threatening sky and rolling thunder." But as we know, that doesn't deter runners.
The third Klassic (1981) grew to 1,323 participants and witnessed the return of the winners of the first Klassic. Duits and Lewis repeated their feat by finishing together in a time of 30:19. The women's race was won by WMU's Darcy Tomlinson in a very fast 35:27. Kalamazoo has always been the home of excellent Masters runners as shown by the finishes of Randy Hoffman (33:05) and Tina Hayward (39:20). Tina would go on to win the Boston Marathon Masters a few years later. The 1981 race was held on the 3rd Saturday of the month, setting a tradition followed since.
Many dedicated KTC members nurtured the race in these early years. Blaine Lam was consistently a driving force. Tom Powell, James and Linda Gregart, and Dave Mackey were heavily involved in the growth of the race. The fields were generally over 1,000, with hundreds of finishers under 40 minutes. In 1983 a 40:00 time would not have broken into the top 200 places.
The race has not been without its tragedies. In 1982, Richard Robbins, 49, collapsed 200 yards from the finish line as he was ascending Peeler Hill. Within seconds he was being treated by paramedics, but died a few days later.
When two local runners, Chris Crowell and Bruce Johnson, formed Gazelle Sports, they began a long and continuing relationship with the Klassic. In 1988 Gazelle Sports started their sponsorship of the Kids' Klassic, a 1K Kids' run on the evening before the 10K (which had been started by the KTC about 4 years earlier.) Hundreds of kids and parents line up every year for this fun family event. Several of the top runners in high school the last few years had their first experience running at the Kid's Klassic including Adriana Field and Jessie Stewart who both now run for the University of Michigan.
In 1985 the 5K race was added. Five-K races were gaining in popularity and the new distance was added to attract joggers who were not yet ready to tackle Maple Street Hill, better known as Kalamazoo's 'Heart Break Hill.'
In 1987 the finish was moved from the top of Peeler Street to the fields at South Junior High. The move allowed more room for spectators and post race activities.
