This week’s Tuesdays on the Run is going green! We’re talking all things St. Patty’s day because….well why not? It’s fun, festive, fabulous and we need more of that in these parts as winter finally rears its snowy head. So tell us: Do you have a St. Patrick’s Day race you must run? Costume? Food traditions? Spill it?
It’s not that I dislike St. Patrick’s Day because I like it just fine, and it’s kind of a big deal in Chicago, what with the river dyed green, the St. Patty’s Day parade, Irish dancing, etc. But somehow I managed to come almost 20 years in my running life avoiding almost all of the St. Patty’s Day races here in Chicagoland. Almost all.
The Shamrock Shuffle is Chicago’s marquis St. Patrick’s Day race, which doesn’t actually take place until April 2 this year. Due to Chicago’s propensity for ridiculous weather swings (like the one we’re having right now) I suppose the organizers thought it’d be better to push it into spring. Smart move.
Last year I ran a local St. Patty’s Day 5k….scored an AG award…
…and a highly-coveted pint glass.
The other St. Patrick’s-ish race I’ve run (a lot) is the March Madness Half Marathon in Cary, Illinois. This sucker was my first-ever half back in 2007 and I’ve run it 6x since. It’s still the hardest half marathon course I’ve ever run. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Forget about it if hills make you convulse with dread. The weather has been all over the place: I’ve run in 20 degrees and snow, 80 degree heat, sideways freezing rain, and the most wicked thunderstorm I’ve ever run in.
If costumes and photo ops are your thing, this race is not for you. I had no idea when I signed up, but the field is very serious and VERY fast. The first half of the course is net downhill, similar to Boston….and, starting at mile 5…loaded with hills. It’s basically a perfect simulator for Boston. So who do you think shows up to run? Yes, runners in the final month of their Boston training. Pretty perfect because it takes place 4 weeks before that little race in Beantown.
Your turn! What St. Patty’s Day races, traditions, costumes etc. do you enjoy? Do you have a race that you love to hate?
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I love that Chicago offers a few different options for St. Patty’s Day races! There was only one local race in my town for St. Patty’s Day and of course it was on one of the coldest days of the year, lol. I did enjoy that everyone dressed u and got into the spirit!
I’ve never run a st.patty’s day race but I have my eye on one next year. Tell me more about the river being dyed green. -M
Our local women’s 5k — it’s most women’s first race (me included). It’s too crowded, it starts too late considering it’s in the summer, and yes, it’s often too hot. But so much fun. Most years, like this year, I am not here to run it. But when I am, I do.
You are a beast racing in all those weather conditions! As I type, we are being dumped on, again. For a mild winter we’ve still managed a fair amount of snow. They’re predicting over a foot. It’s tough tempo treadmill tuesday.
I dont think Ive actually ever done a St Patricks Day race. We have the Shamrock 5k in Baltimore but Ive never done it. Looks like Chicago has some fun options!
I’ve done the Shamrock Shuffle in the past–it was fun but it’s just too big now.
Our Saturday 10 mile race (Kim and I are running) should be a St Patty’s day race, right?
No St. Patrick’s Day plans, races or traditions here!! Every other year I’ve run a local race, but this year gor away from me aber or was COLD.. not sure what we’ll do Friday night- I’m not Irish, but my husband is. If it weren’t Lent, we’d probably try to find some corned beef somewhere!
The shamrock shuffle has been so inconsistent with their medals. The year I ran it, we got a really junky ribbon, but a semi ok medal (it is a beer opener). The next year, the medals looked fake, but the ribbons were awesome. You would think for all the money they get for it that they would sort the whole thing out…
This is susie by the way. Sometimes my computer fills in other people’s information. Let’s try that again:
The shamrock shuffle has been so inconsistent with their medals. The year I ran it, we got a really junky ribbon, but a semi ok medal (it is a beer opener). The next year, the medals looked fake, but the ribbons were awesome. You would think for all the money they get for it that they would sort the whole thing out…
Last year was my first st pattys run. And then I did it again this year. I don’t dress up but I like it bc it’s a small race where I know everyone and it’s a nice welcome to spring. Even though it wasn’t very springlike this year!
i wonder if all the races will be snowed out this year!
You can read all about my St.pat’s race on the blog…but YES, I’m all about the fun, the green, the silly clothes, and the green beer (though I”m not much of a beer-drinking Lass). That 1/2 marathon has me intrigued…because I like the challenging races that normally scare others away 😉
These all sound like great races! I need to see what they have in my area, I’ve never done a St. Patty’s Day run!!
St. Patrick’s Day is not a thing for me. I never even went to the parade in Boston, and they’re serious there.
I love your CO visor!!!
I usually run two St Patty’s Day races – a 4 miler and 5 miler – always fun to dress up in green.
I run a 10k in August…it’s hilly…very hilly and always HOT but I return every year.
The half marathon I did this weekend always does a pint glass too, it’s the best swag!
Wow, does sound like a serious half marathon! I don’t run a lot of the holiday races, but I’d prefer a fun one for sure. But, that is neat that they have a race a month out from Boston like that. So, I’d totally go for the local St. Patty’s Day 5k one for a good time if I was in Chicago. At least they have options. 🙂
How cool that Chicago has some options for both a fun St. Patty’s 5k run or a more serious half meant more for those in training. While I love half marathons, when it comes to a holiday type race, I tend to go for the more fun runs.
I’ve never done a St. Patrick themed race – I don’t know why because they do look fun! I’m not big on costumes but I do like wearing green! I love that pint glass…it’s definitely one of my favorite souvenirs to get from a race!
I’m running my first St. Patrick’s themed race this weekend!
I have always said, that Chicago has to be a fun place during St. Patrick’s day! We don’t really have any big races here and I don’t like the whole corned beef and cabbage thing, But a reason to have a green cocktail, well I can live with that! 🙂 Dang you all are going to have a cold one this year, I wonder if that will soften the crowd a little?
I love it when I get a pint glass from a race. So much better than a shirt LOL.