Dutchess County Classic Half Marathon 10k & 5k

With its mostly flat terrain with a few hills along the course, the race reveals the changes that the area (which lies about 75 miles north of New York City) has experienced over the past several years, as what was once rural countryside has increasingly given way to suburban neighborhood development. There are still plenty of pastoral views along the course, though, so don’t think of this as a city race. Set for its 46th annual running this year, the Dutchess County Classic Half Marathon follows an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at the Dutchess Community College campus near downtown Poughkeepsie. From there, the course continues on the Dutchess Rail Trail for the bulk of the race, which race organizers describe as fast, flat, and shaded. Most of the race is run on asphalt surfaces, but there are some sand and concrete surfaces throughout the race. After reaching both of the turnaround points, half marathoners head back to the community college, while full marathoners continue to their turnaround point.