St. Patrick's Day Celebrations & Races
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

St Patrick's Day celebrations and road races seem to go hand in hand. In the next two weeks there is a plethora of running events across Michigan.   Here's a few:

March 11: Livonia Family YMCA St. Pat's Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast on Stark Rd off of I96 . The Livonia Y and St. Mary Mercy Hospital conducts this event as a fundraiser to support the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign. Registration starts at 7:30am, 3 and 5 mile runs start at 8am, 1 mile run at 8:30am, and the pancake breakfast at 8:45am. Non-runners can buy breakfast tickets for $4 or less depending on age. Children 3 and under eat for free. Contact Megan McGinty at 734-261-2161 or [email protected] .

March 11, 2006 4th Annual YMCA Leprechaun Loop at the YMCA Blue Water Area in Port Huron. 9:00 AM start for the 5K / 10K Fun Run and 2 Mile Walk. Contact the YMCA at 810-987-6400 or website at http://www.bluewaterymca.com

March 12, 2006 24 th annual St. Patrick's Parade CORKTOWN RACES
Starts at old Tiger Stadium, corner of Michigan & Trumbull in Detroit at noon. All Proceeds benefit the St. Patrick's Food Bank. This event is hosted by the Fraternal Order of United Irishmen, Downtown Runners & the Motor City Striders. The course will have a new finish in front of the old Central train station, plus a post race party. Mizuno day to be held at the Southfield Total Runner, on Saturday March 11 th . Five year age group awards for every age starting at 5 years old. John Cosgrove Memorial Award to the overall male & female winners. Costume Contest. 1/4 Mile Fun Run at noon, 1.5 mile walk, 4 Mile Run at 12:30; Contact Total Runner in Southfield, 248.354.1177 or www.downtownrunners.com/corktownraces.htm

March 12, 2006 Shamrocks & Shenanigans at Connor O'Neills onMain Street in Ann Arbor. 5km run starts at 1:30 AM. Contact Kathleen Gina 734.665.2968 or   www.aatrackclub.org/shamrock . Connor O'Neill's Irish Festival to raise money for "Save a Heart" Childrens Hospital. This 5K run has separate starts for men at 2pm and women at 2:30pm. Kids 100 Dash starts at 1:30pm. Kids receive medals at the finish. Adults receive an Irish stein at the finish. Live music, face painting, food and lot of Irish fun!

March 18, 2006 CLARE ST PATRICK'S DAY CHARITY RACE at the Doherty Hotel in Clare. Find the stoplight in downtown Clare and you've found the race start. The5K Run/Walk 10K Run at 9 am. Contact Tom Kunse 989 205-4133 www.claremichigan.com/irish   This is a great family event and a charity road race with all proceeds going to extra curricular activities at Clare Schools, such as the Boy Scouts, Drama Club, Art Club, Sports Boosters and play ground equipment. Showers are available at the Doherty Hotel. Breakfast is included in the entry fee.

March 18, 2006 23 rd annual, Spectrum Health Irish Jig in Grand Rapids. The 5km starts at 9 am at Grand Rapids high school. Many of Michigan's best runners have competed here, chasing after $3000 in prize money. It's also part of the LaSalle Bank triple- crown corporate team competition. Online registration available on www.classicrace.com or call 616 774-5500.

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226