Are You Ready to Shuffle? Luck of the Irish is key for annual St. Patrick 3k run
BY MARK RUCKER
Each March, Lexington becomes Irish as it celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in grand style with a parade, music and several events downtown. One of best known and well-loved events is the Shamrock Shuffle 3K race to benefit Lexington Habitat for Humanity.
This year will be the 9th annual running of the Shamrock Shuffle 3K held on Saturday, March 14 in downtown Lexington. Race day registration will open at 6:30 a.m. at Level 1 of the Lexington Center. The race will begin at 8 a.m. at the corner of Upper and Vine streets and will feature a bagpiper to kick off the race as well as a DJ to get the racers primed to shuffle. The family-friendly road race allows participants to run, walk or shuffle through the streets of downtown as a kick off to the Alltech 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Lexington Irish Festival. There will also be an awards ceremony after the race and a “Best Costume” award presentation.
Over 3,000 participants are expected this year so it will be a great time and a great race. And runners will also be joined by Lexington Habitat partner families who will become homeowners later this year. There will also be lots of festive costumes as runners participate in the Shamrock Shuffle 3K costume contest. Last year a team dressed as lucky charms, and numerous leprechauns were crowd favorites!
Registration is currently open online at www.shamrockshuffle3k.com. If you prefer to register in person, you may do so on March 7 and March 13 at the Lexington Habitat ReStore located at 451 Southland Drive in Lexington from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. If you’re not interested in running or walking the race, but would like to help out with the race, you can volunteer by simply visiting the race website and selecting “Volunteer” from the menu.
Following the race, the McTeggart Irish Dancers will perform at the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park until the start of the awards ceremony at approximately 8:45 a.m. Awards will be presented to age group winners as well as to the team category winners.
The Shamrock Shuffle 3K is also proud to be the kick-off race in the Grand Prix Race Series in Central Kentucky this year. The race series features 7 regional races. To participate in the series, register for the Shuffle at www.shamrockshuffle3k.com and then sign up for the Grand Prix Race Series at centralkentuckygrandprix.weebly.com.
So make plans now to join us to walk, shuffle, or run in this annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition! The Shamrock Shuffle 3K is locally organized, and 100 percent of the proceeds are used to support Lexington Habitat for Humanity. So not only are you going to have a lot of great fun and get some good exercise, you’ll be helping Habitat in its mission to provide homes to families.
Lexington Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry seeking to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, community and hope. Lexington Habitat’s vision is to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Since 1986 Lexington Habitat has helped over 400 families transition from substandard housing to affordable homeownership.
To learn more please visit lexhabitat.org.
Mark Rucker is a Lexington attorney (and avid runner), and Habitat volunteer.
St. Patrick’s Schedule of Events in Lexington 2015
MARCH 13-14
Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles hosts the Luck of the Irish St. Patrick’s Day Buffet Dinner and Tour, beginning at 6:30 pm with a tour of the distiller. Following that, a trip to the Dryer House features special Woodford Reserve cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and an Irish-inspired buffet which includes Round of Woodford corned beef.
MARCH 14
The 9th annual Shamrock Shuffle 3K race on Vine Street starts off at 8 am on March 14. The course begins at the intersection of Vine and Mill and goes out on Vine Street to Midland Avenue. The course continues back into downtown via Main Street and the finish line is at the intersection of Main and Upper. The course is closed to traffic. 100% of proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.
Then, the Irish Festival begins in downtown Lexington at 11 am, and goes until 7 pm. The celebration will take place rain or shine, and all activities will be under tents in Cheapside Park and the Pavillion. There will be Irish music & dancers, Irish food & drinks, Irish imports, vendors, and children’s/family activities.
The 36th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is at 1 pm on Saturday March 14. It begins on Midland Avenue, marches down Main, turns on North Mill and ends at Short Street.
As part of the Irish Festival, WSR Pipes & Drums perform at 2 pm. Then, McTeggart Irish Dancers perform at 2:30 pm. Also as part of the festival, headline act Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters play at the Pavillion from 3 – 5 pm. The band was nominated Top Celtic Rock Group 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the Irish Music Association. They play a mix of traditional and original music, a style described as “air punching acoustic rockers” by Irish Music Magazine. Finally, Draper Family Band perform at 5 pm.
McCarthy’s Irish Pub on 117 South Upper. Liam’s Fancy performs live. There will also be t-shirt and hat giveaways.
Lynagh’s on 384 Woodland is hosting a St. Patrick’s Celebration from Saturday, March 14 through Tuesday, March 17. There will be Irish food and drink specials including corned beef & cabbage and colcannon. On Sunday night, March 15, there will be live Irish music, including Liam’s Fancy. Finally, Lynagh’s will be opening early on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, at 8 am.
MARCH 17
On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, the tradition continues, and Radio 80 play a special show at O’Neill’s on 2051 Richmond Road.
Lynagh’s on 384 Woodland will open early on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, at 8 am.
The Pub at the Fayette Mall opens at 9 am on St. Paddy’s Day for Kegs and Eggs. There will also be feature specials, live entertainment, and drink specials. Ben Lacy plays 2 – 5 pm, with Irish rock band Liam’s Fancy following at 7:30 pm. Irish meal specials include Guinness stew, corned beef & cabbage, and corned beef rueben.
At 9 pm, Shamrock Bar and Grill at 154 Patchen Drive features traditional Irish fare (including corn beef and colcannon), drink specials, green beer, live entertainment, bagpipes, and lots more.
Wallace Station on 3854 Old Frankfort Pike will serve Irish favorites on St. Patrick’s Day, courtesy of Chef Ouita. Meals include Irish Stew, a corned beef panini with swiss, whole-grain mustard and Guinness-braised onions, and more.
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This article also appears on page 6 and 7 of the March print edition of the Hamburg Journal.
