The Leprechaun Dash is sponsored by Cusack's Hurling Club and takes place at the Chicago Gaelic Park. Money raised goes towards Miracle For Marty, who is a 4-year old diagnosed with childhood cancer.
Many of the runners in the race are from the actual Hurling Club - and if you don't know what Hurling is, I recommend looking it up - it's pretty cool. I honestly didn't know what it was prior to race day.
The race itself is a Cross Country Race, which differs slightly from a "trail race". This particular CC race does not place in a forest and it's not filled with "technical" single-wide paths. Instead this takes place on the sprawling grounds and Hurling field at Chicago Gaelic Park. In traditional CC style, runners do run parts of the course more than once, so that the event equals a 5k.
Inherent in a CC style course, being on open fields, marking the course can be tricky, especially with portions ran twice. However, the markings were superb throughout the course, and there were volunteers at key turning points. Very well organized.
80% of the course was on grass and 20% on pavement/gravel. Rough estimates. The course was flat and would have been fast, except it was saturated from almost 24 hours of rain.
The race starts behind the Tara Room building in a carport / covered patio area, which is a first for me. The race ends with runners completing their final sprint the distance of the Hurling Field. Similar to finishing on a track - but this was all grass.
Prior to the race, runners were able to relax and prepare inside the very cool and fancy Tara Room. Post race, runners are able to wind down and enjoy some raffles and the awards presentation in this large banquet hall. And - and - each runner over 21 was also treated to a free pint of Guinness, Harp, of Smithwicks!!!
By far the most Irish "St Patrick's Themed" race I've ever attended.
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