Donning green and dressing up as a leprechaun doesn’t have to be reserved for St. Patrick’s Day parade bystanders and bar hoppers. Wearing festive apparel paired with running sneakers for the fifth annual Guinness Celtic 5K may be the perfect way to celebrate the Irish ~ or at least burn off some beer calories!

There are a lot of 5K road races held throughout the year, but this one focuses on the pure fun and liveliness St. Patrick’s Day fosters. “It’s the most fun, and it’s the most colorful, and it’s the largest race. The crowd support along the route is great,” event organizer Charlie Breagy said. “The runners love having people cheer them on. It’s quite the sight to see 3,200 people running up and down the road dressed in green.”

The Guinness Celtic 5K, which takes place March 8 in Worcester, is the second race in the Tour de Patrick series. The idea for the series was born after Breagy started races in both Providence and Pawtucket, R.I. Each race is followed by its respective city’s parades. In Worcester, that means the trek starts in Elm Park at 11 a.m., before the parade kicks off at noon. Those who register for the entire series and have the overall lowest time for all three races win the title of Tour de Patrick Champions.

Walkers are welcome, too, as the majority of participants are out to have fun and simply enjoy themselves. There is a team category for friends and family, as well, and groups often show off not only their athletic prowess but also their creative flair by making their own shirts and unifying regalia.

While holiday costumes and post-race fun attract many participants, that doesn’t mean some serious runners don’t hit the course, also. Two-time Guinness Celtic 5K champion Eric Lonergan said the road race is great for people looking for a quick course with few turns. “The course was good because it was simple up and back around the parade route,” he said. “You get good crowd support throughout the whole course, so it’s not just a group of people at the finish line.”

Whether you are a regular race-runner or giving it a try for the first time, Breagy has some simple advice: “Go slow; don’t push. It’s always good to be cautious starting out.” And, of course, people should just aim to enjoy themselves and feed off the crowd’s energy.

As Lonergan pointed out, the fun atmosphere doesn’t end at the finish line. “Whether you are a new runner or an old runner, I would spend the day hanging out in Worcester,” he said. “They have all sorts of fun things happening that day.” One of the more famous post-race traditions is having a pint of Guinness to celebrate completing the run. There are more than a dozen pubs in the area hosting parties for the thousands of race participants.

On-site registration is available or runners can register at celtic5k.com/register. All entrants receive a T-shirt, with the first 2,000 runners getting a long-sleeve technical shirt.

By Maxine Giza