100% Irish for a Day 5k and 10 mile Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Kate M.
Minneapolis, MN

  (03-14-2010)

"I recently ran the Irish For A Day 5k and high expectations since the race was put on by the same folks that put on the Twin Cities Marathon. The race itself was fine - you can't really mess up running around Lake Harriet. What I really had a problem with was the organization of this race. It was ridiculous. If you didn't pick up your packet before race day, you were herded into a crowded, unorganized tent where you were to wait in line for your race info. In front of each station (they were grouped by letters of last name) was one person who was handing out numbers and checking you in. These people were extremely slow and not very knowledgeable. (perhaps they were understaffed) After waiting for the better part of a half an hour to get my race number, I was instructed towards another mob of people (apparently another unorganized line) to get my t-shirt. They ran out of mens and womens sizes and we were instructed to scribble down our name on a sheet and were told they would mail us a t-shirt. I doubt we will ever get anything in the mail. The race itself was fine - a bit wet - but you can't do anything about the weather. After the race, you could get snacks and water, but had to wait in one of several giant lines to do so. I decided to pass - I had already done enough waiting that day. If I knew I would have to pay $28 for such an organized mess, I would have just run around Calhoun on my own that morning. It was pretty ridiculous. I suggest the organizers take some tips from the Grand Old Day race in June - they were highly organized and well put together last year. I won't be wasting my time with this race again next year."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

libgyrl .
minneapolis, MN

  (08-24-2009)

"March in Minnesota yields a many varying conditions that no race director or sponsor can control. The best anyone can do in the face of a warm snow melting day before and a freezing overnight is to find some stand and spread it round the roads. In 2008 we sure could have used some more gravel.

Perhaps the city is a player and there was nothing that could be done to ease the slip and slide factor. As the sun came out conditions improved, but the 5Kers were mostly done by then.

Alas I'm not really griping about it. This is a fun race that starts and ends on the south point of Lake Harriet, which is a nice variation from may races on that loop. It is sponsored by the 50th and Penn local businesses. Lots of people come out, many in green wigs, green tights, green speedos, oye!

Despite the slick conditions or maybe because of them I ran one of my fastest 5Ks that day in March last year. I'll do the event again someday...perhaps I'll see you there!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008