“We started it 23 years ago as a 5K in City Park, then brought in McCormick’s Fish House and Bar as a sponsor the next year and made it a lucky 7K,” McGrath says. “This year we’ve changed the course up a bit to accommodate even more runners, and I can tell you from the names on the early registration forms that it’s not just the Irish community running. It’s everybody!”
The Runnin’ of the Green was started as an alternative to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, he adds. “It’s fun, family-oriented, and participatory. We’ll have Irish bagpipers to start the race, Irish stepdancers along the route, and performances by The Potcheen Band and the Colorado Youth Pipe Band at the after-party, with corned beef and bagels from Shamrock Foods and Killian’s beer from Coors.”
The race starts at 10:15 a.m. in front of McCormick’s, 1659 Wazee Street, followed by a two-mile Leprechaun Leap walk/race option at 10:30. Register online at www.ROTG.org or in person at any Runner’s Roost to avoid the rush and save $10; race-day registration is $40 and opens at 7:30 a.m.
Sun., March 13, 10:15 a.m., 2011
