Event Information

Come be a part of one of Washington, DC's largest races! Join us for the festivities on Sunday, March 11, 2012, as we officially open the spring racing season with the 24th Annual St. Patrick's Day 8K. There is also a 1K fun run for the kids, so bring the whole family and celebrate the beginning of spring with us!

The race begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Location

Race activities take place on or around Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC (on Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets, NW). The start and finish lines are located on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 12th and 13th Streets.

On-site Registration

Pre-race packet pickup will be held on Friday, March 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Pacers Logan Circle located at 1427 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Pre-race packet pickup will aslo be held on Saturday, March 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m will be at Pacers Alexandria located at 1301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Race day registration and packet pick-up will open at 7:00 a.m. It will be located in a tent on Pennsylvania Avenue near Freedom Plaza (on Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets, NW).

Awards & Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top ten men and women overall, and to the top three men and women in the following age divisions: 19 & younger, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 & older. The awards ceremony will take place at Freedom Plaza at approximately 10:30 a.m. (following the Irish dancing). Lots of random prizes will be awarded, too. So, stick around and you will have a great chance to win a dinner for two or a gift certificate to your favorite running specialty store. Even better, we also have as a grand prize a four-day cruise for two!

Entertainment

Before the race, DJ Lee will have you dancing on Freedom Plaza. The Sergeant’s Program will warm runners up from the stage on Freedom Plaza at 8:30 a.m. Bagpipers will perform on Pennsylvania Avenue before and during the race to evoke the Emerald Isle. Following the race, young members of the O'Neill-James School of Irish Dancing will entertain with a performance at Freedom Plaza.

Post-Race Refreshments

Fruit, bagels, cookies, and bottled water will be provided at the finish line.

T-shirts

All runners and volunteers will receive the St. Patrick's Day 8K T-shirt, featuring a colorful new design.

Leprechauns Leap

There will be a 1K noncompetitive fun run just for wee people. The fun run will start at the 8K start/finish line immediately after the 8K start. No registration is necessary. Just show up and run. Medals to all finishers.

ChronoTrack

The ChronoTrack timing system will be used to score the 8K race. The system uses a disposable D-tag, which must be secured to runners' shoelaces, and records the exact time a runner crosses the starting line as well as the finish line, resulting in a net, or "Chip" time for each runner. Overall awards will be based on the "clock time," and age group awards will be based on "Chip time."

Water Stations

In addition to water at the start/finish, water will be available on the course just past the half-way point.

Bag Check

We will offer a bag check service at the west end (14th Street side) of Freedom Plaza for those runners who wish to leave a bag of dry clothing near the finish. However, with more than 5,000 runners expected, a bag check operation will quickly become overwhelmed if everyone tries to take advantage of this service. So, please, if you have a car in the area and can get back to it easily, or if you are accompanied by a friend or spouse, leave your bag there and help make the task of the volunteers at Bag Check a reasonable one!

Race Etiquette

Manners are important in races, too. With more than 5,000 runners expected to participate in this kick-off of the spring racing season in Washington, DC, it is important that runners observe a bit of etiquette and be considerate of their fellow runners. Here are a few things to be aware of in this race.

Take Metro to the Start Line

Take the Blue or Orange Line to Federal Triangle. The Federal Triangle station is directly across the street from the start/finish line. Or, take the Red, Blue, or Orange line to Metro Center. It is a short walk down 12th or 13th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. Metro opens at 7:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Parking

Available on surrounding streets. Do not park on Pennsylvania Avenue between 12th and 14th Streets.

Volunteer Opportunities

Come one, come all and join in the fun as an event volunteer! This fun event relies on 100+ volunteers to be successful and we need YOUR help.

Volunteer jobs include water station, bag check, registration area, or course marshals on race day. Or, volunteer at packet pick up on Friday or Saturday, March 9 or 10.

Please e-mail Lesley to sign up and for more information: race@logisticsmb.com

Additional Information

For additional information, call the Race Hotline at (301) 871-0400.

 

Please note: Strollers, baby-joggers, skates, and pets are prohibited on the 8K course. The use of headphones is strongly discouraged. Please see Race Etiquette. No refunds. No confirmations will be sent unless you register online; to confirm your entry, please check the list of registered runners a week or so before race day. Please pick up your T-shirt on or before race day, as we cannot mail it to you.