SPORTS & FITNESS
GUINNESS CELTIC 5K JENNY PACILLO
Lace up your sneakers and put on your greenest running outfit, itâs time for the annual Guinness Celtic 5K! This family friendly race has been the kick off event for Worcesterâs St. Patrickâs Day Parade for over a decade. The Celtic 5K begins at 11am on Sunday March 13th, so expect a sea of emerald as runners swarming the St. Patrickâs Day Parade route before the parade begins at noon.
With the Guinness Celtic 5K, it really isnât all about winning or having the fastest time, itâs about enjoying the fresh air, running with your friends, and celebrating St. Patrickâs Day. Weâve been cooped up all winter, and this a great way to have fun with a little workout before the parties start. Speaking of parties, pop into some of the post race celebrations along Park Ave, from Leitrims to One Eyed Jacks and in between.
The Celtic 5K is a local favorite race for many, including Worcester runner Krysta Kowal. âHaving a crowd several people deep all the way up and down Park Ave really gives you an extra boost to pick up the pace and keep going,â Kowal says. âAnd of course, the day before the race has me sifting through everything green that I own to find the perfect way to show my Irish pride,â she adds.
So grab your finest orange and green wigs, throw a temporary shamrock tattoo on your cheeks, and join in on the Guinness Celtic 5K. If running isnât your thing, still dress up of course, but head to Park Ave early to claim the best parade watching spot so you can enjoy the race beforehand.
Race organizer and Ireland native Charlie Breagy is a lifelong runner who ran track at Providence College. Breagyâs advice for first time racers is to âstart jogging a mile or two now and donât be afraid to walk during the race, walkers are always welcome.â Online registration for the Celtic 5K ends on March 12th. Breagy organizes ten to twelve races a year and supports many more, including the Worcester Firefighters 6K, which will take place on June 5th this year. Celtic 5K t-shirts are included in the raceâs registration, which is partially sponsored by Worcesterâs favorite sneaker shop, Sneakerama. Breagy is expecting between 1,500 to 2,000 entrants this year, which would bring the number of runners back to the usual pre-pandemic amount. Runners and spectators are all invited to join the post race celebration in the beer garden tent at the finish line. The Guinness Celtic 5K also supports the Worcester St. Patrickâs Day Parade. âThe race and the parade go hand in hand,â Breagy explains. This fun spirited event is a Worcester parade day staple, as half the fun is picking out your most St. Patrickâs Day inspired costume. Looking through pictures of races from yearâs past show runners wearing shamrock knee high socks, green argyle leggings, and even orange wigs.
28 MA RCH 20 22
More info at celtic5k.com
