Shamrock Shuffle lights up Harmony on a gloomy Saturday
HARMONY — Although the breeze was chilly, the sky overcast, and the ground muddy from cold overnight rain, the atmosphere in the borough on Saturday, March 23, was bright and jubilant, thanks to the annual Shamrock Shuffle.
The Zelienople Rotary event saw almost 300 runners and walkers sign up for the 13.1-mile run, the 5K, or the 1-mile race, said Rotarian Kathy Corcoran, the leader of the race committee.
All proceeds from the event will go to community service projects the Zelienople Rotary supports. The Shamrock Shuffle is sponsored by the Harmony Inn and Armstrong.
The Shamrock Shuffle, which has been held annually in Harmony for 15 years, brings in almost $10,000 for distribution to the Rotary’s projects, Corcoran said.
“Runners embrace the theme, which is so very festive,” Corcoran said as she scanned those registering in the Grace Church of Harmony gymnasium, many of whom wore green or donned whimsical St. Patrick’s Day gear.
She said the difficulty of the course provides a challenge to runners, and the race’s status as a family-oriented event also draws people who run in the Shamrock Shuffle.
Ed Georgetti and his friend, Mike Dreveniak, both of Evans City, dressed in festive Irish gear for the race.
Georgetti tries to participate in three or four races per year, and Dreveniak runs about two per year.
“I like the Irish accents,” Dreveniak said. “I like the green. It’s festive.”
Three girlfriends piled into a car and drove an hour from Peters Township, Washington County, to run in the 5K.
“It’s festive,” said Molly Quinn, who has run the Shamrock Shuffle five times. “We were hoping for a keg stand at the top of the hill on Textor Hill Road, but they didn’t bring it back this year.”
Quinn said that before the pandemic, runners could do the keg stand and get a drink of beer at that hilltop. For the past few years, runners get a Jello shot there.
Quinn wore a green jumper covered in shamrocks, which she bought at Target several years ago.
“I wear it every year,” she said.
Laura Hutchinson ran her third Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday.
“It’s fun and also challenging,” she said. “That hill? There’s nothing like it.”
She also loves to run in the quaint and historical borough of Harmony, where the three friends enjoyed lunch on the porch of the Harmony Inn for a past race when the weather was warmer.
Sara Conway also enjoyed traveling from Peters Township to the Shamrock Shuffle.
“I enjoy the people we meet along the way,” she said. “Everyone is very friendly and supportive.”
Conway also enjoys running in Harmony.
“It’s very cute,” she said. “I love looking at all the houses as we run through the town.”
The first youth to cross the finish line — to the raucous and encouraging shouts of the Seneca Valley varsity and junior varsity girls softball teams — was Zachary Sharara, 13, of Sewickley.
Although he was the first youth in, Zachary, who is a student at Sewickley Academy, was just a little disappointed at his time of 18 minutes, 2 seconds.
“I think that I could have gotten a better time if I had sprinted the last 200 meters,” Zachary said. “If I did, I would have gotten my goal of a sub-18.”
Zachary, who is on the triathlon and cross country teams at school, said he runs about eight races per year.
“I like to be healthy and after I run, I just feel happy and accomplished,” he said. “While I’m running, I don’t like it, but I feel good afterward.”
Lois Kuttesch, of Cranberry Township, walked the 5K in a green get-up, complete with cap and shamrock scarf.
“I love everyone being so friendly, excited and decked out in their green,” said Kuttesch, who has walked in three Shamrock Shuffles.
She attended the race with one of her two daughters. The other daughter, who normally runs in the race, had to work Saturday.
“I love to be outside, and I’ve always loved to walk and hike and spend time with my daughters,” she said.
Scott Baker, of Zelienople, brought his handsome Pomeranian/husky mix, Buddy, to run alongside him in the 5K.
“He is the first four-legged finisher,” Baker said as he spilled water from his bottle onto Buddy’s flapping tongue.
Like all those who participated in the races, Buddy received treats afterward from the vendors who set up at Wood Street Park.
“He especially likes the Jenny Lee cinnamon swirl bread,” Baker said. “He (devoured) a slice of that as soon as I gave it to him.”
He said Buddy is a good candidate to run alongside his master because his husky heritage provides additional padding on his feet for endurance, and he has energy to burn.
“On the days when we don’t run, he seems depressed,” Baker said.
Joella Baker, the Zelienople Rotarian who has served as race director for all 15 years of the Shamrock Shuffle, summed up the atmosphere of the day, which she called a kind of festival.
“It’s happy people out celebrating and getting fit,” she said.
