Shamrock Shuffle returns in March
The 13th annual Shamrock Shuffle race is scheduled to return on March 26 in Harmony.
The event is an annual fundraiser for the the Zelienople Rotary Club, and includes several different competitions: a half marathon that begins at 7:30, a 5k at 10:15 a.m. and a 1-mile fun run beginning at 11 a.m.
Festivities include food, drinks, music and costumes during and between races.
"This is one of our favorite events of the year. People run covered head-to-toe in green and in a variety of costumes. We have participants that come from other states every year and many of them are repeat runners,” John Avolio, Zelienople Rotary Club president, said in a statement.
“There are three different races that take place, so there is a race for everyone and it’s an opportunity to show off our wonderful community,” he said. “All of the proceeds from the race will allow our Rotary club to make a difference and positive impact in the Zelienople/Harmony area."
Armstrong and Baierl Ford are co-title sponsors of the event.
Runners can register at www.getfitfamilies.com, and advanced registration is a must. Due to health precautions, there will be no race registrations taken on the day of the race.
Runners and participants will also have the chance to test at the event to see if they are a potential match for Jax Ramirez, a local child with an autoimmune disorder who needs a bone marrow transplant.
“Anybody who attends the race will be able to swab. We’re looking for donors between the ages of 18 and 40,” said coordinator Nan Durny. “It’s an international registry, so not only are they swabbing for Jax, they could be a match for someone else who is in the registry waiting for a bone marrow transplant.”
Event returns
The event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but was able to take place in 2021.
“Last year, it was the most incredible experience because the day that we held it was a beautiful spring day, and you didn’t need hats or gloves. There was no snow, and I think it was probably the first race for a lot of people after the first wave,” event chairwoman Kathy Corcoran said. “(It) was the kind of event, the kind of day, that people needed so badly to feel like they were alive again. To see people and to wave at people and be outside in perfect spring weather, it was just fun.”
Corcoran said that past years had seen participation numbers upwards of 450 to 500, but that the race would remain capped at 420 participants this year. Last year’s race drew more than 300 participants.
“I’m hoping that people will start to come back,” she said.
