Above / Fond memories of the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise St. Paddy’s Day 5K, traditionally held in collaboration with the annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Parade in March on the Saturday prior to St. Patrick’s Day, will be enhanced when the event goes “virtual” now through May 17, 2020. Spectators and participants likely recall that the popular fundraising celebration that kicks off the spring season was canceled by the City of Naperville, in advance of the Governor’s order. (PN File Photo)
The 2020 Gerald Subaru St. Paddy’s Day 5K organized by the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise has been officially rescheduled as a virtual 5K.
Runners and walkers already registered for the run may use a GPS app to run, walk, or jog 5K before or on May 17. A participation link was emailed to all registered runners on April 21. Times may be submitted on the honor system and prizes will be awarded to top three finishers by gender and age division.
Sunrise Rotarian and publicist Deb Newman noted the virtual 5K is for pre-registered, “…as they paid to get a shirt, timing chip etc. Although if families wanted to make this a fun thing, we’d love that.”
Newman added the event had 2,000 pre-registered. “And now that the weather is getting better… Folks just run their own 5K route with a GPS monitor and sign in with their time before the end date. We’ve had 20-plus folks already run.”
Share photos of participation
Participants are also being encouraged to share a photo with us, and prizes for fun outfits will be awarded. Age group and photo awards will be posted on the St Paddy’s Day 5K website and announced through social media. Individuals who didn’t have a chance to pick up their race shirt in March may visit the Running Company in Downtown Naperville as soon as restrictions on in-store retail shopping are lifted.
“In order to maximize value to our sponsors and provide a fun event to thank the over 2000 participants who register for this important fundraiser each year, we thought this was the best possible outcome,” said club president Becky Anderson. “The 5K is our largest fundraiser supporting youth and family initiatives in the community. Because we had already made a substantial financial investment in producing the live event before it was canceled by the City due to the pandemic, we felt it was important to create an event which would capture the fair and honest spirit of Rotary- Service Above Self.”
Proceeds benefit Naperville YMCA Safe & Sound
Proceeds from the 2020 event will benefit the Naperville YMCA Safe and Sound program, providing before and after school programs for school children and currently serving children of essential workers in the COVID-19 crisis, as well as Inside Out Club, offering youth character building activities and volunteer opportunities.
For more information, visit www.stpaddysday5k.org.
