With overcast skies and 50-degree temperatures, Naperville kicked off its 5K season early on March 12 with the 5th Annual St. Paddy’s Day 5K Run and Walk, organized by the Rotary Club of Naperville – Sunrise.
Close to 2,400 runners participated in the annual event that saw Nick Holmes of Elmhurst become the first man to cross the finish line in this morning’s run. This year, the annual event is benefiting Family Shelter Services.
5K Top Winners & Times
Men
1. Nick Holmes, Elmhurst 14:52
2. Kevin McMahon, Naperville 15:40
3. Nicholas Bowerman, Arlington Heights 15:51
Women
1. Laura Batterink, Evanston 17:10
2. Marisa Hird, Naperville 17:05
3. Colleen Baker, Evanston 18:41
Youth Overall 10 and under
1. Noah Munson, Minooka, 9 20:52
WSI St. Patrick’s Parade
By 10AM, Mill Street, Jefferson Avenue and Main Street in downtown Naperville were lined with many spectators decked out in emerald green, anticipating the 23rd West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Parade. And with a little luck, the temperature climbed to 60 degrees under partly sunny skies, creating a perfect spring-like day for the double-header when everybody can be Irish.
Cheerful crowds welcomed 100 parade units this year as folks enjoyed a two-hour display of community spirit, charitable organizations, bands of bagpipers, costumed characters, live music performed by marching high school bands and just about every candidate running to serve Naperville in the 2016 Primary Election set for Tues., March 15.
Wearing a sash graced with Irish flag colors orange, white and green, Pat Bowler served as 2016 Parade Marshall.
According to WSI Parade organizer and club president Chuck Corrigan, on average about 50 participants were featured with every entry, some of which included several vehicles and multiple attractions.
“I’d say about 5,000 people of all ages participated in the parade,” said Corrigan, noting many new crowd-pleasing entries this year came from the Medinah Shriners Organization in Addison.
Yes! Naperville loves a parade! Thanks to all the volunteers who made this morning’s festitivies happen!
For more information about upcoming events this next week with links to the West Suburban Irish, visit www.wsirish.org.
Throughout the year, the public also is invited to regularly-scheduled WSI Quiz Nights beginning at 7PM on the first Tuesday of the most months at Quigley’s Irish Pub.
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