The KRRA has been supporting the Start2Finish (S2F) Running & Reading Program for many years. Start2Finish is an amazing community Program that has been in operation since 2000, and now that COVID restrictions have been lifted, the organization is back and ready to help young people, once again.
Start2Finish needs your help, as a volunteer. The organization is also seeking Club Directors for the different locations within Kingston.
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As we continue to remember the passing of Dan Kimmerer, Brent Workman and Al Cantlay; both long-time KRRA members have shared some insight to whom Dan was as a friend, athlete and coach.
“Even though we moved to Kingston around the same time the Kimmerers did, I did not meet him until the early 2000s when my good friend Dave Ruggles came to town and started to train with the Cataraqui Optimists.
I eventually started to come out for workouts and Dan was our fearless leader and coach. The thing I really appreciated about Dan was that, as a coach, running partner and friend, he had your back. He really believed in ones ability to achieve great things. Even if you were doubtful of it he would convince you that you could. I remember how excited Dan was for me when I ran my personal best in the half-marathon in Toronto in 2003 finishing 4th. The first thing he said was, “we’ve got to get that in the paper”. We went on to have many adventures in running together including the Tely Ten in St. John’s and the Boilermaker 15k in Utica. As a competitor he was talented and gritty. With Dan, the race was never over until the finish line.
I chuckled at Al’s comment about there never being enough hours in a day for what Dan wanted to get done. Any scheduled meeting times were affectionately suffixed with “DKT”, Dan Kimmerer Time, as he was more often that not late. That was OK. Within our circle we knew Dan was getting things done.I think one thing that wasn’t outlined by Al was, in addition to his involvement in organizing elementary school running events, he was a KRRA race director for the half-marathon least once as well as other races. If he wasn’t a director he was heavily involved in race setup at numerous events. He was meticulous in his attention to detail – he would make sure that things were done right. One year at the elementary school XC championships his lead cyclist didn’t show up. He promptly convinced me, 5 days pre-marathon, to run and lead out the races. I lasted three races!
I also had the pleasure of raising a family along side Dan and Marie’s family. Our kids would see each other at various running and social events and eventually would play sports together as they got older. Chris and Ben would go on to become good friends, worked at Runners’ Choice together, become residence-mates and house-mates the University of Guelph where they both were on the track team. I very much admired Dan’s devotion to his family. They meant the world to him. He was their biggest fan and supporter in all of their endeavours. And to our kids as well! He was always excited to see them and find out how they were doing. I very recently sent a message to Dan and Marie for their 30th-anniversary celebration that commended them on raising three wonderful human beings.Dan will be missed by so many – he has had a positive impact on so many people through his teaching and the running community. He had a big heart and a zest for life. Like Al, I regret not being in touch with Dan as much in recent years – I will miss him and I am blessed to have had him as a friend.” “
— Brent Workman (Brent Workman and family are long-time members of the KRRA and Brent was a teammate on the Cataraqui Track club with Dan.)
“I want to pay my respects to the Kimmerer family as a result of another unexpected death from the Kingston Running community.
Dan Kimmerer a devoted husband and father to 3 wonderful children is gone at 59. He would have celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary to Marie, his wife on July 24th. I am ashamed to say that I had not stayed in closer contact with Dan in the last few years even though I considered him a close friend. The fact he was at Kevin Dunbar’s wake last month makes this even more painful.
The characteristics between them are the same. They promoted the same tools; Education and Athletics.
Dan a devoted family man, loving husband, a respected teacher and coach, a former elite athlete and age-grouper. He was a tenacious competitor as an elite athlete but also like me had a hard time accepting that we had become “broken down old warriors”. I promised his daughter Savannah this morning that “We will get the story right” about Dan for those who didn’t know him.
I first met Dan in November 1994 when Dan and Marie came in Kingston to house search. As two new teachers they would be moving to Kingston the following spring. He won the KRRA anniversary 7mile race on that visit to Kingston defeating me, the previous year’s winner. I shook hands with him and we became life long friends that day.
He taught at different elementary schools over his teaching career and established a strong x-country and track program, coaching basketball as well as other sports wherever he went.
He founded the Joe Goodfellow Memorial Race at Hinchinbrooke Public School to honour a young high school student killed in a car crash. This race was held annually for over a decade. He organized the elementary championship races with fellow teacher and friend Mark Ryan for many years.
As an elite athlete he formed the now defuct Cataraqui Track Club and competed with this small club. At the club he trained with Jeff Taggart, Dave Ruggles, Mike Myers, Derrick Spafford, Brent Workman, and Mike Keller. He won the Glen Tay 14.7km block race in a time of 49:16 in 1996 and again in 2000. He finished in the top ten at Beat Beethoven numerous times. In the 1999 Beat Beethoven he was runner-up to 21-year old future Olympian Simon Whitfield, by one second. He was also the overall KRRA race series winner in 1996.
He became a member of the KRRA board and was president before or after his good friend William Macdonald. He competed in the KRRA Running series doing well in his age-group but had a hard time avoiding injuries.
There were never enough hours in a day for Dan to complete everything that he had committed to doing each day. I can’t say that I ever saw Dan “relaxed”, he was always on the go.
Though running was his passion, it brought out the good, the bad, and ugly as his wife Marie said to me yesterday. Dan could be stubborn and could rant, even on a run, if he felt you were giving unwise advice.
As he said to me once when we were having a heated discussion. “Sometimes you don’t pick your friends, they pick you”.
Through it all, the one thing Dan loved the most were all the training partners and friendships he made along the way.
Marie, Christopher, Savannah, Roddy I am so sorry for your loss, Dan was a good man.”
— Al Cantlay
Read the Kingston Whig-Standard article:
The Kingston running community has lost another leader within its ranks. Dan Kimmerer, a retired teacher and active running coach, died peacefully in his sleep on July 18. He was 59. His death comes just two months after the passing of Kevin Dunbar, who was also heavily involved in the running community. – read the full article here.
On behalf of the KRRA board I’m deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of one of our own, Kevin Dunbar.
Kevin has been a part of the Kingston running community for almost 20 years and has always been a big supporter of the KRRA. As recently as this past Saturday, Kevin was volunteering his time to the club by certifying the race course for the Limestone Mile. Proud to wear the KRRA singlet, Kevin was a fierce competitor, an amazing athlete, and a friend to all.
Kevin will be fondly remembered by the KRRA as a truly humble person, devoted father and husband, and an encouraging friend to so many of us. Kevin will be deeply missed by all of his KRRA family.
Our condolences go out to Kevin’s loving and supportive wife Liz, his two beautiful daughters Ciara and Maggie and his wonderful parents Tony and Eithne.
Kevin, you’re truly a remarkable human being who touched so many and will never be forgotten. You’ll always be KRRA family.
– Lana Saunders,
KRRA President
The KRRA Board of Directors, in cooperation with the Race Directors of the Canada Day Limestone Mile, has earmarked 50% of the 2022 proceeds from the Mile Event (the other 50% to the Kingston Interval House), which will be committed to Youth Diversion, a cause requested by the Dunbar Family. The KRRA will be honouring Kevin, in conjunction with the family, at a later date.
“My heart is heavy. Yesterday our group, and our community at large, lost a beautiful soul. Kevin was one of the kindest, most selfless people I know. I feel truly blessed to have shared so many miles with him – from long runs on Middle Road and Tremblant training camp to racing our first Boston marathon together. We’re all better people for having known Kevin and our group won’t be the same without him.” — Elaina Raponi
“Kevin was one of my original Strava follows. It meant a lot to meet him and start running with him. What a wonderful person. I think back to Glen Tay when Kevin and family took it upon themselves to solve our water station shortage issue.” — Robert Almas
“We spent part of yesterday (the day before Kevin’s passing) together enjoying a coffee, working on the MILE course, and I began my soft-sell with him maybe taking over the RACE DIRECTOR position for the Limestone Mile running event, for 2023. Kevin was such a terrific guy in every way. The Kingston running community is heartbroken.” — Robby Breadner
“I had the honor of training and becoming friends with Kevin the past year. We ran, cycled and XC skied. Kevin had a kindness about him that is unmatched by most. His sincerity was infectious and he was always encouraging and supportive. Truly a one of a kind person. My sincerest condolences go out to his wife and 2 daughters.” — Kyle Harding
“I met him when he started coaching the XC/Track team at Queen’s in my first year. He made running fun, and he was a genuine friend as well as our coach. He had a significant impact on my athletic development, and more importantly with my relationship to the sport of Athletics. Although he only coached at the school for 18 months, there is a reason that he’s remembered fondly by those of us who were there during that time. His enthusiasm was contagious, and I’ll miss seeing him around Kingston on my future visits. Fortunately, I still have this t-shirt featuring him that was made years ago by Michael Bentley. I wanted to take this opportunity to share it as a reminder of the good times spent in his company.” — Jeff Mountjoy-Stringham
“We often joked about “KDE” aka Kevin Dunbar energy. An energy that Kevin brought to any interaction through his selfless acts of kindness, calmness and knowledge. His acts of kindness and patience was something I always looked up to and will continue to strive for in my daily actions. For anybody who didn’t know Kevin, he was the definition of “superhero” energy. Kevin Dunbar will continue to live in my heart and memory as a wonderful friend, training partner, father to his 2 daughters and inspiration to us all to give acts of kindness in each day. I challenge you to channel your inner “KDE” through a random act of kindness today- from giving a compliment to somebody at the grocery store to giving your time through volunteering or helping a colleague or friend with a task.” — Kim Krezonoski
“So many miles shared with my friend Kevin Dunbar.I will always remember those long runs together in the winter if 2018. Kevin and I didn’t miss a Sunday long run all winter despite frigid temps and blizzards. I would wait for him to text me to cancel so I didn’t have to go but he never did. I learned so much about endurance sport and life from DBar. He was very humble and giving to everyone around him. When we came up with the crazy idea to ride to Ottawa and back as a fundraiser last summer, Kevin and his wife drove in their vehicle for support ….all day. He leaves behind a community of close friends who will miss him dearly. Our thoughts go out to his wife (Liz) and 2 girls (Maggie and Ciara).” — Nick Cosman
“I remember seeing Kevin, when I lived in Kingston in the Kingston Court House when I was a military attending officer, he would wave hi, every time running by him you could hear him saying, “Go Lancers Go” (no matter how slow I was running) and him with his family pre-COVID at the Fort Henry Race with his family supporting my KRRA event. I’m indebted to him and to the Lancers community for keeping me running. I’ll always miss the Go Lancers Go from Kevin. RIP Kevin.” — Luis Paico Avilez
Kevin Dunbar Saturday June 4th, at Kingston Memorial Centre. Kevin is shown while volunteering his time to measure and certify the Canada Day Limestone Mile.
Top photo credit: Peter Stokes.
On behalf of the KRRA (Kingston Road Runners) board, I am pleased to announce that due to the BEAT BEETHOVEN road race remaining a virtual event for 2022, the KRRA has decided to include the Napanee Heritage 5K and Kids 1-Miler as a KRRA RACE SERIES event for 2022.
Being included in the KRRA RACE SERIES means KRRA members can run the Napanee 5K race, and the SERIES points will be factored in, and included runner race results.
If you are unfamiliar with the RACE SERIES, learn more here. Here is the points system explained.
For those who are interested in participating in the SERIES, it is not too late in the season, As of May 15th, here are still EIGHT upcoming events as part of the SERIES.
AND it should be noted that the KINGSTON KIDS RACE SERIES includes the Napanee Heritage 1-Miler.
KRRA director, PJ Marshall, and the Kingston Road Runners are pleased to announce the installation of the Tony Bourne Memorial bench. The effort was spearheaded by PJ Marshall on behalf of the KRRA initiated the project in the spring of 2021.
Tony Bourne was an avid runner and dedicated volunteer who passed away on July 17, 2017, and is dearly missed by family and friends. Because of this, the decision was made to plant the tree and install the bench, in Tony’s memory. Funded by the family and organized by the KRRA, the bench is located on the waterfront path near the park run at Breakwater Park – close to where Tony volunteered for KRRA events and Kingston triathlons. The tree was planted just north of Maitland Street, near the Yacht Club.
So when you need a rest in Breakwater Park, look for Tony’s bench to take a break, and think of Tony.
Thanks again, PJ for helping to make this happen.
The KRRA Board of Directors, and Race Directors are always working hard to ensure the health and safety of members, while organizing KRRA Series races.
Due to the challenges our communities have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Race Events being live, cannot be 100% predictable. (The Resolution Run was – unfortunately – shifted from a live event to virtual.) Such decisions are generally beyond the control of the KRRA. Our Club heeds direction from protocols handed down by the Province, the City of Kingston, and venues we book.
Presently (as of January 16th, 2022), all future Series races are slated to be live events (with virtual option available). If circumstances and protocols require the KRRA to shift any events from live to virtual, it is with regret. The KRRA Board and Race Directors will not shift a race to be virtual unless absolutely necessary. Members need to be aware that their live registration may move to virtual.
The KRRA’s optimism includes expectation that most (if not all future) Series races will be live. All live Series races will allot the points as detailed below. Typically, a competing runner can tally points to a maximum of SEVEN (7) races. For this year (2022), a member is only required to tally the points from SIX (6) races. Award recipients are also required to participate in a minimum of four events.
In addition to the tally of SIX live Series races, any KRRA Series race that shifts to a VIRTUAL-only event will now count toward a competitive runner’s final tally. Each virtual finish will award FIVE (5) points toward a member’s tally (both overall and age category). This is a flat FIVE points to every registered runner who finishes the race.
UPDATE: Resolution Run = is the only virtual race giving 5 points to be added + points tally of SIX best live race finishes.
If Twosome Run switches to virtual: Res Run 5pts + Twosome 5pts + SIX best live race finishes.
In order to ensure the KRRA Race Series best recognizes our top competitive members, the decision has been made that if Series races are obligated to shift to virtual, a minimum of seven live races need to take place. That means the following:
Resolution Run – virtual = 5 points << COMPLETED
Twosome Run – << LIVE EVENT COMPLETED
Limestone Race Weekend – Waterfront 10K << LIVE EVENT COMPLETED
Limestone Race Weekend – 5K << LIVE EVENT COMPLETED
Limestone Race Weekend – Historic Half << LIVE EVENT COMPLETED
Howe Island Hustle << LIVE EVENT COMPLETED
SIX subsequent events must be live to ensure Series continuation. The events include:
Please keep in mind, in order to keep the KRRA healthy and viable, registrants need to understand refunds cannot be offered. The KRRA is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Revenue generated goes to community charities.
Thank you for your participation and understanding.
KRRA annual general meeting 2021 was a terrific evening with guest speaker and local legend Kevin Dunbar.
Topics covered at the meeting include…
…and an overall good time had by everyone.
Thanks goes out to President LANA SAUNDERS for organizing the event, and for a successful year – making the most throughout the pandemic.
Don’t forget to renew your 2022 KRRA membership. New members welcome. Click here.
Join in on the fun!
Show off your creative side by printing off this awesome colouring sheet designed by Zoe from @darlindoodlez. Submit your completed colouring page by April 16th in order be entered in to win an Indigo Prize Pack.
Must be registered for the Tom Compton Memorial 2K to be eligible for the draw.
Winner will be announced April 18th.
Participants can submit up to 5 complete colouring sheets into the draw. Winner will be chosen at random. Email submissions to socialmediaracedirector@gmail.com or send a private message through the Limestone Race Weekend social media pages on facebook & Instagram.
KRRA-TCMcolouringContest << Downloadable PDF.
Or click for large JPG file:
Registration is now open! << Please visit Trackie.com for registration details. Limestone Race Weekend Virtual 2021 event will take place between April 1 to April 30, 2021 (a whole month) and includes a 5K , 10K and ½ Marathon. New for this year, is the 2K family fun run/walk and the Limestone Spring Challenge (which is a 5K, 10K and ½ Marathon).
There are a lot of moving parts and aspects that need to be considered when holding “in person” events such as permits , road closures, community support/police and arranging volunteers. With the event less than 2 months away this will not be possible. For 2021 Limestone Race weekend will be a virtual event.
Registration fees are available on the KRRA.org website or Trackie.com and range from $10 for 2K Family Fun to $75 for the Limestone Spring Challenge (KRRA members receive a $5 discount for all events except 2K Family Fun Event). Included in the registration fee is the cost of the Finisher Medal for each race, Technical Shirt, $5 KRRA admin fee, processing fee paid to Trackie and a donation to our two Charities.
Included in your 2021 registration race kit:
Registration closes with Trackie.com on Friday April 16, 2021 at 5pm. At this time the final order for shirts and medals will be processed. If, after April 16th you decide you would like to participate in Limestone Race Weekend please send an email to janetracedirector@gmail.com. Please note that the shirt and medal will not be available to you but we would gladly register you for the event with the proceeds directed to the Charities we support.
KRRA stands for Kingston Road Runners Association which anyone can join for an annual fee. The fee provides many benefits including discounts to our Kingston Race Series. The KRRA is the original running club in the Kingston Area since 1981. It has a constitution, elected board members and an active membership base. All of our activities are managed by volunteers both runners and non runners.
There are 10 Virtual run/walk events scheduled for our race series this year. Everyone who is a KRRA member and registers/participates in all 10 events will qualify for the end of the year award. This prize will replace the traditional year end Series Award Winners swag item. In short participation will be recognized in 2021 rather than race performance. For specific race details please visit the KRRA.org website.
YES! You can run, walk or even hike the event, around your neighbourhood, on a trail or even inside on a treadmill. Wherever your feet take you! But remember to keep safely apart , follow your public health guidelines and have fun. Because this event is virtual there are no time limits to complete the event.
All race kits will be available for pick up at Runners Choice Kingston approximately two weeks following April 30, 2021. This is a projected time and not within our control. We ask that you PLEASE do not contact Runners Choice Kingston directly- We will send out updates and communication with specific details. Other pick-up locations will be announced closer to the event as options are determined following public health guidelines. If you live outside of the Kingston area you may want to have your race kit mailed directly to you. Paying for postage is being added as an additional option to the Trackie registration website. The exact number of shirts and medals will be ordered following the registration close date to reduce ordering more than required which takes away from the proceeds donated to our two charities.
Yes! A few days before the event is active you will receive an email from Trackie with your own personalized link to your Runners Dashboard with instructions on how to submit your time. Your time can be submitted using Strava or Garmin but this is optional – if you don’t have these simply submit your time – this is strictly on the honour system. To qualify for the “middle of the pack” running shoes you must submit your time but if you don’t your race kit will still be available to you.
Entry fees are non-refundable under all circumstances. That means that once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund for any reason and you will not be able to defer your entry for another year.
Yes, the Limestone Race Weekend supports the Start2finish Reading and Running program as well as The Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area. Proceeds from the event will be donated to both of these excellent programs.
Yes , we understand that our training and abilities change from year to year. Please keep in mind that this event has no time limit which would allow for breaks to stretch etc. However, if you would like to change the distance please contact janetracedirector@gmail.com no later than two weeks prior to the beginning of the event (March 18, 2021). Please note that refunds, even partial, will not be available.
Yes – MOST definitely 😊, please email janetracedirector@gmail.com with your request and we will determine the additional cost based on what you paid in 2020 and the registration fee for the Limestone Spring Challenge (LSC) in 2021. We will be happy to provide you with this information to help you meet your running/walking goals.
Please email Janet Shepherd at janetracedirector@gmail.com with your question and we will be happy to assist in any way possible.
Resolution Run 8K
Twosome Run 5K
LRW Waterfront 10k Race
LRW Tommy Compton Memorial 2K
LRW 5k Race
LRW Historic Half
Napanee Heritage 5K
Canada Day Limestone Mile
Wolfe Island Classic 5K/10K
Wooly Bully 5K/10K
Glen Tay Block Race
Fort Henry 5KXC
PEC Half Marathon
Anniversary Run 10K
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