The Kingston Kids Race Series was launched with the goal to encourage Kingston’s youngest runners to participate in as many races as they can, over the entire year. And participate, they did. Because of the Kids Series, registrations for all the Kids’ races were up. Sometimes signup for race events was triple the historic numbers.

The KKRS offered an end-of-year prize to any runner 5-12 yrs old, who ran at least six of the Series races. There were about a dozen kids who took on that challenge and succeeded. So many young runners achieved this goal, we decided to separate the Kids awards from the KRRA AGM. The decision turned out to be the best idea.

A ton ‘o fun at Conquer Training

Coach Che Elija volunteered his time to give the attendees a good workout and some fun games. This was followed by a talk by organizer Robby Breadner. The event finale was the presentation of prizes and framed photos of each of the Champion runners.

Photo gallery

Click here to enjoy photos taken at the event. Thanks goes out to Willow Breadner, the event’s volunteer photographer.

Thanks to our generous sponsors

• Conquer Training stepped up to sponsor the event, by providing the venue.
• Pam Mundell Financial Planning funded the framed photographs.
• Kingston Junior Gaels donated one summer house league registration.
• LaFarge Canada donated water bottles for all attendees.
• Kingston Symphony donated tickets to upcoming music events.
• Runners’ Choice donated a variety of running gear.
• Kingston Kids Tri donated toward Runners’ Choice running gear purchase.
• KRRA donated branded gloves.
• Rick Royce donated running gear.
• Lois Breadner donated fresh, baked goodies packages.
• Napanee Heritage Mile donated a race entry.
• Wolfe Island Classic donated race entries.
• Beat Beethoven donated race entries.
• Kingston Road Runner Race Directors generously donated: buffs, socks, race entries, shirts, and more.

As the event wrapped up, parents and athletes gave their thanks for putting on the Series and the Awards celebration; sharing their enthusiasm for participation in 2023.

If you would like to assist in the 2023 KKRS, please contact Robby at publisher@365ontario.info

Learn more about the Kingston Kids Running Series, here.

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.

Click here for the S2F Volunteer position description.

Click here for the Club Director position description.

Enjoy the latest KRRA news, including:

• AGM invitation
• KIDS RUNNING SERIES celebration invite
• 2023 membership is live
• Anniversary Run results and details

Click here to view the eNewsletter via MailChimp

“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:

Kingston running community loses another leader

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.

Friends who knew Kevin say…

“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.

Visit the event page, here.

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.

Series changes: 6 race max + virtual (Resolution Run)

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.

The Resolution Run VIRTUAL finish counts toward a member’s year-end Series points tally.

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.

If the KRRA cancels the Series

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:

• Beat Beethoven  << REMOVED FROM 2022 SERIES due to being virtual-only
• Napanee Heritage 5K  << ADDED to 2022 SERIES as a Beat Beethoven replacement
• Limestone Mile
• Wolfe Island Classic 5K
• Wooly Bully 10K
• Glen Tay
• Brockville Half (confirmed – info to be updated)
• Fort Henry Cross Country 5KXC
• Anniversary Run

Important to note

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.

Visit the Race Series points system page, here.

KRRA annual general meeting 2021 was a terrific evening with guest speaker and local legend Kevin Dunbar.

Topics covered at the meeting include…

• Live and virtual race series confirmed for 2021;
• The KRRA Student Bursary was announced;
• New Kids Series announced;
• Coach’s Choice Awarded;
• 2021 Series Participants list, congratulated;
• Member gifts distributed;
• Twosome Race Director John Sadler announced;
• Lifetime membership update discussed, voted, approved by members;
• 5KXC glasses and medals handed out;

…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.

All ages welcome!

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.

Have fun and get colouring!

KRRA-TCMcolouringContest << Downloadable PDF.

Or click for large JPG file: