This would typically be the weekend when thousands of runners make their way to the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts for the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race but for the second year in a row the global pandemic has forced a cancellation of the iconic race. This 10K course brings elite runners racing for cash prizes and casual once a year runners alike to the city with a rich Irish history for a road race that is truly one of the finest in the country. Spectators line the course, Irish music is a plenty, an unofficial beer stop in the final mile makes for some added merriment for those wishing to partake and the city really comes out and celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and makes for a really fun running atmosphere.

This year, the race directors pivoted and moved the race to a virtual 10K to keep people in the spirit as much as possible. Race registration came with one of the famous Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race shirts being mailed out to you so registering for the virtual race was a no-brainer.

I ran the virtual 10K around Bridgewater, Massachusetts this morning kicking off at 6:20. It was a cold start with temperatures in the 20’s but overall it was a pretty nice morning for a run. It certainly wasn’t the same as hearing the bagpipers on Homestead Avenue, racing down the hill on Cherry Street, making the final turn to head toward the old Holyoke Catholic High School or enjoying a pint at one of the Irish pubs near the finish lines but partaking in the virtual 10K was still a nice way to keep the legs moving and give me something to look forward to in 2022 when hopefully we are through the thick of the pandemic and races will be safe again.

I finished up the virtual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race with a time of 56:31, good for 9:07/miles.

Hope everyone else who is partaking in the Virtual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race had a good time and look forward to being back at the starting line in downtown Holyoke soon enough!

If you didn’t know that yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day, shame on you.

The past year has been a rough one and missing out on road races has been a significant struggle of COVID. And when it comes to running road races, some of my favorite races are St. Patrick’s Day runs as they usually feature the best crowds, Irish music, general merriment and usually a pint of beer at the finish line. (Or heck, sometimes even on the course!)

So yesterday it was time to tackle a virtual run while St. Patrick’s Day runs are cancelled once again this year and it was the Irish Cultural Centre of New England’s Luck of the Irish 3.17 mile virtual race that fit the bill. A touch over a 5K but with an appropriate 3.17 mile distance fitting for March 17th the race could be run anywhere in the world and I ran in Bridgewater, Massachusetts during the afternoon. The roads were, of course, open to traffic so I had to plan a route accordingly but ran a rather straight course from my home down to the heart of downtown Bridgewater. The weather was nice for March with temperatures right around 50 degrees and with clear skies so shorts and a jacket were in order. I felt good during the run and wrapped up the 3.17 mile run with a time of 25:21, good for 7:59/miles. Not too shabby for a virtual run!

To learn more about the great work that the Irish Cultural Centre of New England does, please be sure to check out their website by clicking here.

The Irish Cultural Centre located in Canton, Massachusetts is sponsoring the Virtual Luck of the Irish 3.17 Mile Run and I hope you will join me in registering for this race.

This virtual run is perfect for the whole family and is a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Runners can run anywhere and anytime in support of the Irish Cultural Centre but how about we all celebrate on March 17th and tackle the streets virtually together!

For local runners, in addition to supporting a great cause each adult registration includes a t-shirt and a $10 ICC gift card. Student registrations include a t-shirt and child registrations includes a medal and gift.

T-shirts will be available for pick up from the ICC by appointment after the event or the ICC will ship them to you for $2 extra. There is free shipping for the children’s medal and gift. Therefore, even if you are not local you can register for this run, support a great cause and have your shirt shipped right to your doorstep.

To register for the race, please click here.

The mission of the Irish Cultural Centre of New England is a large and crucial one – to promote and organize Irish cultural, educational, sporting and social events. We aim to establish and sustain a facility where current and future generations of the New England community can participate in activities that promote Irish culture and heritage. The public support of those who also embrace the value and wisdom of that mission is invaluable to us. To learn more, please be sure to visit their website by clicking here.

Who’s looking for a fun, virtual run with a couple different distance options available? Well, look no further! This race also comes with a sweet discount option thanks to The Running Griffin!

The Hops Trot race is a virtual run and features a mile run, a 5K, 10K or haf-marathon option. The race can be run wherever you’d like and the race swag will be shipped right to your door! Swag includes:

-Stainless Steel Finisher Medal with a bottle opener and coaster!
-CDC Approved Facemask/Gaiter
-Neoprene Can Koozie
-Raffle Ticket for over $5,000 in prizes!
-Unique Sourdough Pretzels
-Virtual Race Bib
FREE SHIPPING
($50 Value!)

To register for the race, please click here and use the discount code SHAMROCK to register for the virtual race for just $19!

I signed up for the Hops Trot and hope to have you join me! Proceeds from the race also benefits Feeding America so do a little good while registering for this virtual race, too!

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