There are more than eight St. Patrick's Day races in Michigan and Northern Ohio over the next two weekends.  Turnouts have been impressive considering that winter has yet to depart and race day weather can be anyone's guess.  Runners and spectators show up in all forms of green costumes. Some claim to be Irish if only for the day.  Some come to find their luck and maybe even a pint of green beer.

20th Annual St. Patrick's Corktown 4 Mile Race � 3/10 The field annually tops 1,000 in Detroit's first major race of the season.  Green is certainly the color of the day as the race runs through Detroit's Irish Corktown area. As the last runner's finish, Detroit's St. Patrick's Parade begins. After the Thanksgiving Parade this is the city's second largest parade.  Temperatures have varied with the worst in the early years of the race when -15 to -20 degree wind chill readings greeted the runners. In 1995 the temperature hit a high of 64 degrees.  Paul Aufdemberge of Redford and Sue French of Toronto hold the course records.

3^rd Annual Shamrocks and Shenanigans � 3/10 Highlights of this Ann Arbor event include an Irish festival. Costumes have become a centerpiece for the race as participants dress up as their favorite Irish beer containers, Leprechauns, and other various things. Three live bands, one from Ireland as well as dancers and bagpipers perform. There is food, drink, and activities for kids all day.  One of the key features of the event is the new "spectator friendly" course.  It is a mile loop around the heart of Main Street in Ann Arbor.  The running of two heats, the "Tortoise" and "Hare" heats will allow for a wide spread of awards.  It will also allow for the "middle of the pack runner" to watch the "front runner" compete and vice versa.  The Shamrocks race is a benefit for the Save A Heart Foundation, which is directly linked to Mott Children's Hospital.  All children will get either a medal or a trophy from the kid's dash.

St. Patrick's Day Clare 5k Road Race � 3/16 The race put on in Clare has a long history. After being shelved for several years it was reactivated about 5 years ago. Since starting up the race is now tied to a St. Patty's Day celebration in County Clare Ireland and is part of a weekend long party.  All the runners get a long sleeve t-shirt to keep them warm during the fun and run. They also get a pancake breakfast cooked by the local boy scouts.

Contact Information:

Corktown 4 Mile, Tiger Stadium, 12:30pm, Motor City Striders (248) 544-9909 or email: [email protected]

Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5km, Ann Arbor, 10:30 am, Larry Bostwick (734) 623-9640 or email: [email protected]

Catch a Leprechaun 30km, 15km & 5km, 3/10/02 Avon Lake, Ohio, 9:00 am, Rick Cadwell, (877) 722-3728 or email: [email protected]

Shillelagh 4 Mile Run & Walk, 3/16/02, Flushing High School, 12 pm, Bauman's  (810) 659-6493 or email: www.riverbendstriders.com

Livonia Family "Y" 1, 3 and 5 Mile Run and Pancake Breakfast, 3/16/02, Livonia, 8:30 am, (734) 261-2161 x3314

St. Pat's Clare 5km, 3/16/02, Clare, Mi 9:00 am, (989) 386-7556 or email: [email protected]

Shamrock Shuffle 5km, 3/16/02, Traverse City, 10 am, (231) 933-9242 or email: [email protected]