It’s been a number of years since I last ran Paddy’s Shillelagh Shuffle but this past Sunday it was off to Newton, Massachusetts to tackle this year’s race. This race is a 3 mile run and is jam packed with runners who hit the course to help raise funds for Newton Athletes Unlimited which supports year-round recreation for children and adults with disabilities.

The race kicks off in front of Paddy’s Public House, an Irish pub, and the environment race day is top-notch. Bagpipers, local vendors, a DJ, community organizations and throngs of supporters cheering runners on the course make this an all-around great race. A beer tent post-run is available for those who wish to partake but for us we hit up a local coffee shop post-run for a really good iced latte!

Sunday was a nice, fall day for running and long-sleeves and shorts did the trick out on the course. I felt really good running and once I made my way through the early crowds was able to stretch the legs out and push myself some. Knowing the 3 mile course would pass relatively quickly, I pushed a bit more and run one of my faster paces in a bit and finished the race in 24:02, good for 8:01/miles.