On Saturday, March 16, All Community Events held its annual St. Patty’s Day race in downtown Deer Park. A 5K, 10K, and Kids Dash were offered to race participants who came out in festive green and gold. Runners sported tutu’s, shamrock tights, and green wigs to run this fun course.
Both 5K and 10K distances began promptly at 8:30 a.m. in the Deer Park shopping center parking lot. Runners left the commercial area and ran along a paved path lining the highway before circling through a commercial area. All runners looped back to the start/finish line and the 10K-ers were pushed back out onto the course.
In the past the 10K runners would complete the 5K loop twice, which sometimes would present course congestion on the second half of the 5K loop as the faster 10K-ers would sync up with the slower 5K-ers. This year, All Community Events, added a different route for the second loop of the 10K, alleviating this issue.
After the first 5K loop, 10K runners were routed onto a different 5K loop, but it was still in the same area. The event staff and race volunteers did an excellent job ensuring all runners followed the correct path.
The entire course was paved with very few course blockages. There were a few ice patches, but race staff had them clearly marked with cones and volunteers advising runners to watch their footing. This course has a few small inclines to add a little challenge, but overall it’s a fast, flat-ish, course.
Temps were in the low 30’s, but the sun was out and spirits were high throughout the entire morning. Runners received a long sleeved, quarter-zip shirt and a festive St. Patty’s Day pint glass.
5K male winners were: Steven Salvano, Adrian Sitnik, and Jake Schabes. 5k female winners were: Mandy Kompanowski, Alyssa Molinaro, and Kelsey Barnholt.
10k male winners were: Nicholas Webber, Danny Garza, and Bryan Piscitello.10k female winners were: Karen Frum, Nicole Herion, and Michelle Lata.
