2019 Leprechaun Run

2019 Leprechaun Run weekend started with a Pre-Leprechaun Run Happy Hour hosted by the Young Professionals Committee and Fishtown Beer Runners. For the second year in a row, Fette Sau was the final destination for Fishtown Beer Runners joining in the fun. Fette Sau offered discounted beverages and food as well as donating a dollar of each beer sold back to Special Olympics PA – Philadelphia for the Leprechaun Run! It was a beautiful night to kick off the weekend and we can’t wait to hang out with the FIshtown Beer Runners again!

photo credit: George Arpajian

The 2019 Leprechaun Run presented by TMNAS took place on Saturday, March 2019. The day started with a little breeze, but when the race started at 7:30 am, it was perfect for running. Bennett from Today’s 96.5 emceed out short program along with longtime Leprechaun Run participant and athlete, Emmett Abdo. Special Olympics PA President and CEO, Matthew Aaron, welcomed the crowd and introduced TMNA Services representative Paige Liscka presented a check in the amount of $10,000 as presenting sponsors. To get things started on the right foot, participants got to enjoy an authentic Irish dance from Celtic Flame School of Irish Dance where some of their youngest dancers performed as well as some of their older dancers. As everyone was applauding the wonderful dance put on by the Celtic Flame dancers, Emmett Abdo invited fellow athlete Charlie Zisette to the stage to lead the crowd in the athlete oath of “Let me win, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”. Bennett wished the participants luck as they aimed for personal bests or to see where their winter training took them in preparation for the spring racing season. To officially start the race, Emmett Abdo invited athletes Lisa Barbour and Charlie Zisette to help him count down to the start. As racers took off, volunteers and spectators were there to cheer them on.

photo credit: George Arpajian

Along the course, volunteers were stationed throughout to keep all racers motivated. As racers finished their Lucky 7-Mile Race, Classic 5-Mile Race or 2-Mile Fun/Run, another set of volunteers was at the finish line to welcome them back and provide refreshments. Once the results brackets were complete, Bennett re-took the stage to announce the top three finishers for both the Lucky 7-Mile Race and Classic 5-Mile race while athlete, Sharon Quarles, pinned our finishers and handed them a goodie bag provided by Sullivan Scrap Metals.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2019 Leprechaun Run presented by TMNA Services! We had a great morning and hope you did too!