Registration is filling fast for the 2018 Gerald Subaru Sunrise Rotary St. Paddy’s Day 5K, slated to begin at 8AM on Sat., March 10, in Downtown Naperville. Held just prior to the annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the St. Paddy’s Day 5K is one of the first 5K’s of the running season in the area, and often sells out, organizers said.
Proceeds from the event will benefit “Lifelines to Mental Health” Resources to combat youth anxiety, drug abuse, addiction and suicide; as well as 360 Youth Services Scholarships for Operation Snowball, a peer-to-peer drug abuse prevention education program.
Racers, runners and walkers welcome
This annual event is for racers, runners and walkers. The course is professionally chip-timed to ensure race time accuracy. Individuals registering before race day will receive a technical running shirt.
Race Day registration will be available at a premium, up to the 3,000 runner limit.
Cash awards to top three men and top three women runners
There are cash awards to the overall top three men’s and women’s runners. Awards will also be provided to the top three finishers in each age group. Walkers will follow the runners across the start line, with their time being recorded from the passing of the start line to the finish line.
St Patrick’s Day themed costumes and hats are encouraged. Costume awards encourage participants to enter into the festive spirit of the event. The race is kicked off by St. Patrick and the Green Man pace setter.
“This event is well supported by the community, among runners and families alike. It’s a day to kick off your running season, have fun and just enjoy the spirit of the community,” says Race Chairman Mark Schroeder. “We are proud of the positive comments we get every year about how well the race is conducted.”
Begin and end at Centennial Beach
The race course begins and ends at Centennial Beach in the heart of downtown Naperville and follows the parade route. The 5K will start at 8AM, in plenty of time to watch the parade which kicks off at 10AM.
Many spectators for the parade arrive early to cheer on runners. Every intersection along the parade route will be supervised by parade marshals to ensure safety. Runners, walkers and spectators can enjoy an extensive snack buffet, water and holiday-appropriate green hydration after finishing.
“We are pleased to present this 5K event to help provide life-saving education to our youth and their families,” noted Sunrise Rotary club president Justin Klestinski. “The St. Paddy’s Day 5K has become one of Naperville’s most-anticipated signature events. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate family and fun as part of one of Naperville’s favorite holiday celebrations.”
Klestinski added that club members and community volunteers work side by side at the event and then join in the WSI St. Patrick’s Day parade immediately following the run.
The registration fee for an adult is $40/adult and $25/child (Ages 14 and under). From March 1, 2018, through race day, the registration fee for an adult is $45/adult. Child registration remains unchanged.
For information, online registration and packet pickup details, visit www.StPaddysDay5K.org.
Story submitted by Deb Newman for Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise. PN file photos.
Editor’s notes about parade and pancakes, too!
The 25th Anniversary West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Parade will step off at 10AM Sat., March 10, with whimsical and colorful Irish accents from start to finish. Proceeds from the parade and the sale of commemorative hand-crafted Irish-theme scarves sold along the route will benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help fund childhood cancer research.
In addition, six head-shaving events are slated between March 7 and April 28, 2018, to benefit St. Baldrick’s. The biggest fundraiser will be hosted by Naperville Public Service from 6 to 10PM Sat., March 10, at the Marriott Chicago Naperville, 1801 N. Naper Blvd.
Naperville’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on March 10 bring the community together in support of good causes.
From 12:30 to 3:30PM Sun., March 11, Quigley’s Irish Pub again will host the kid-friendly Photos with the Leprechaun in the Hearth Room.
Then the following week, the Kiwanis Club of Naperville will host its 63rd Annual Pancake Festival from 7AM to noon on Sat., March 17, 2018, in the Naperville Central High School Cafeteria. Advance tickets are available at Casey’s Foods and Oswald’s Pharmacy.
And, of course, everybody can be Irish during St. Patrick’s annual celebrations for revelers age 21-plus at Quigley’s Irish Pub on March 10 and on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.
West Suburban Irish all year long
Other fun events that focus on Irish heritage and lore also are planned by the West Suburban Irish throughout the year. Whether monthly meetings, Quiz Nights on the first Tuesday or music sessions on the third Wednesday, Quigley’s Irish Pub is the home of the West Suburban Irish. Fáilte!
