This is maybe my favorite race of the year because it is SO MUCH FUN. I ran it for the first time last year and knew I was hooked for the rest of my running career. The kilt run takes place on a Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and the 8K race, at 10:30 a.m. The start and finish line is based out of the Raleigh Beer Garden this year, which claims on its website the world’s largest selection of beers on tap. 2120 people were registered to participate in this race in 2016.

Why do I like this race so much?
1. There is a kilt run an hour before the actual race. This was the third time in a row that the race organizers tried to set a Guinness Book of World Records record: the most runners to race in kilts. While they still didn’t make the record (and I’ve heard that this was the last try they were allowed to have), it is still awesome to see all those runners in kilts.
2. I love dressing for St. Patrick’s Day, especially for a race. I have several St. Paddy’s running shirts, green and white striped calf sleeves, shamrock fake tattoos, shamrock arm sleeves, an “I run for beer” green Sweaty Bands headband . . . I’m a little obsessed with the gear!
3. Bagpipes. Irish bands. LOUD Irish bands.
4. Irish wolfhounds. Someone brings these dogs to the race--and they are freaking big, beautiful, gentle dogs.
5. Beer. Lonerider Beer is served at the finish line. Last year, you also got a can koozie for your beer with the race logo. So, cool swag.
6. Speaking of cool swag, one of the best race t-shirts ever. It features Seamus the Leprechaun (I THINK his name is Seamus, but I can’t actually find that anywhere in my research), although this year he was in silhouette. The color, brand, and fit of the shirt this year was a top notch pick.
7. The medal. The ribbon is the Irish flag, and the medal features Seamus. It’s actually half a medal; you get the other half by doing the Oktoberfest 8K in the fall (and Seamus wears Lederhosen on that half).
8. The nOg Run Club. They put this event on, and they are a MEGA run club! I’m not sure of the membership in this club, but its Facebook page has over 2200 members. And when I go to their Monday night runs, there’s always a huge crowd. I’m in awe of Rick and Elizabeth, the leaders/founders of the club and the race directors, and what they have been able to engineer. They also do great charity work, and they are one of the most supportive groups of runners in general in the Raleigh/Wake County running community.
9. The route. While it’s different from last year due to the location change, it goes through a beautiful residential section of Raleigh, leaving from behind the Raleigh Beer Garden. You run on Glenwood Avenue, St. Mary’s Street, and many smaller neighborhood streets east of St. Mary’s. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s an easy five miles, because what it lacks in miles, it makes up for in hills!
10. Location. Although I was sad to see Tir na nOg, the Irish pub where the run club used to congregate on Monday nights, close its doors last fall, I like the new location, the Raleigh Beer Garden. The location is easier to get to for me, but the parking is a little trickier. However, for the race, I do prefer the old location. The former pub was across the street from Moore Square Park. Although not a pretty park, it was a nice, big area to hold this event. This year, things seemed really crowded and a little confusing at the new location.
11. I’m Irish! My Grandpa Sheehan would be happy that I was involved with the great running community that Raleigh has.

The race
I met friends at 10:00 (none of us could make it to the earlier kilt run), and we stood in a short line behind the Beer Garden to show our IDs to get an “over 21” paper bracelet clipped on our wrists.
The race started at 10:30, on schedule, and the Bagpipers serenaded us as we surged across the Start Line. I can’t say enough how happy and inspired I feel when I hear bagpipes (and loud Irish music), especially while running. We raced the five miles up and down the hills of the neighborhood, zig zagging past other streets where you could see other runners well ahead or behind you. You eventually make your way back to the start which has been converted into a finish line.

Post-race, we waited in line for our cans of Lonerider beer (one of my local favorites), and we moved to the top patio on the 3rd floor of the Beer Garden and found a place to stand (in our sweaty clothes) next to an outdoor heater while we finished a second beer. The day was cloudy and cool, in the 50s. This is my favorite race, and I look forward to doing the Oktoberfest 8K in the fall to celebrate my German heritage and to get the other half of the medal!

The website for the race: http://www.nogrunclub.com/stpaddys/
The St. Paddy’s medal (left) and the Oktoberfest medal (right)
(photo credit: http://www.nogrunclub.com/stpaddys/)