Harrigan's 5k

For those interested, the Harrigan’s 5k charity run was started in the early 2000s by some very determined ladies who were then part of the Team in Training program (LLS - Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). Jeanie Wolslagel started Harrigan’s; in year two it was taken up by Susie Stein … she oversaw the event for several years, then turned it over to yet another Team in Training fundraiser named Scott Hall. Eventually, because of the workload to make it happen, he also decided to pass it on. The current organizers took over after the 2008 run which experienced about 300 runners.

Since 2009, the event has benefited four important local charities: the Alzheimer’s Association, United Rehabilitation Services, JDRF (Juvenile diabetes Research Foundation), and South Community. The race grew nicely in 2009 and 2010, and took a major leap forward in terms of participants in 2011 when we broke the 1000 runner barrier. In 2013 we attained 1215 registered runners, record proceeds, all supported by about 100 volunteers.

Also, during this time frame we have raised just under $55,000 for the four charities, thanks to everyone’s enthusiasm for running, volunteering, or both.

Pat yourselves on the proverbial shamrock – you do great things for your health and for our community! All 1300 of you —  every year.

Save the date – we’ll see you on March 22, 2014 for the next Harrigan’s 5k Charity Run.

Have a great year

Great news! 2013 was a record year for proceeds to the charities – what a great accomplishment in and of itself.

Thanks to all of you that came out to run or volunteered, or chipped in as sponsors for the 2013 race. The weather was a little crisp but was the best day of the week, so we have that to be thankful for.

Results are up on Speedy Feet’s website. If you qualified for a medal and did not get it at the post-race awards ceremony, head to Up & Running where the medals await you. As a reminder, medals are awarded as follows … Gold, silver, and bronze for males and females in each age category: 9 and under; 10-14; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; … 65-69; 70 and up PLUS top 3 overall M/F and top 3 Masters M/F. Shoes for the fastest M/F and fastest M/F Masters have been awarded by Up & Running – as of this morning, two pair had been picked up and certificates were being mailed to the other two.

Planning for the 2014 run has begun – we are going to move the start close to Harrigan’s on Marshall Road; we are reviewing how to get good parking info in your hands before the race; and the course has already been redesigned to take into account the path runners will follow (cutting corners as close as possible rather than being measured by GPS from a vehicle). Many of you enjoyed particularly excellent 5k times until now, so you better train harder next year because the course distance should be more accurate and you will definitely have to run faster to beat your previous times.

Thanks again to everyone for another GREAT Harrigan’s 5k!

Hi everyone -

Although the weather has been lousy lately, tomorrow is the best day all week and looks to be better than the days after, so we are counting our blessings.

We are ready – are you?

Please arrive early – we have a perfect storm brewing – record registrations and a record few people picking up packets ahead of time at Up & Running.

Do your self a BIG favor and head over to U&R this afternoon 4-7 to get your chip and shirt – the registration tent promises to be awfully busy tomorrow morning.

We have parking staff assigned to help you get parked – but lots of cars will need to find places. Again - arrive early to get parked and over to registration with minimal sweat.

Registration opens at 7:30 – race starts at 9:30 - awards at 10:30 – Huge K&G annual sale next door as soon as you are finished at the run.

Finally, if you have fun, take a moment to thank a volunteer – without them we simply could not do this.

See you Saturday morning, bright & early,

Your friends the the Harrigan’s 5k Charity Run

Just a few days remain to register on-line or by mail and save $5.00. Heady over to Speedy Feet to get a mail-in form or to register on line.

Wondering if the weather will be just right for your new Personal Record? We wondered too, and it is LOOKIN GOOD for race day:

Harrigan’s tent will be going up in a day or two – GFS is ready with the water and snacks – Bagel Cafe will be finishing bagels just in time – the starting gun is loaded & cocked – everything will be waiting for you on March 23rd.

We are excited – and hope you are as well. See you soon.

We excited and really busy getting ready for you! Lots of updates to share …

A terrific new sponsor has joined the Harrigan’s charity effort -  Revitalize MD MedSpa & Laser Center, Springboro. They are sponsoring 25 runners and will be there at registration on race day to greet and support you. As they say, “Relax, Rejuvenate, Revitalize!”

We are also very pleased to welcome 2nd and Charles as a supporter, located a couple of doors east of Trader Joe’s and next to another supporter, Cheryl and Co. Thanks to 2nd and Charles for sponsoring five runners this year. At 2nd & Charles, they came up with the great idea of helping people reuse  books, video games, movies, music and more. They are donating 600 reusable tote bags – every one containing a valuable coupon – which will be passed out on a first-come, first served basis at early packet pick-up and on day-of-run registration. Tucked inside four of the backpacks will be a $25 gift card, so be sure to get yours and check out the contents!

Cheryl’s will hopefully be back this year in some form – SWEET! – stay tuned for details.

Your medals have arrived!

Up and Running will again donate certificates for a new pair of shoes for 1st place male; 1st place female; 1st place Masters male; 1st place Masters female categories.

The 2013 Harrigan’s 5k Charity Run shirts are IN PROCESS.

GFS and Bagel Cafe have committed nutrition and hydration support again this year – thanks to both for their generosity.

Once again we tried to line up the Air Force for a fighter jet flyover … they mumbled something about SEQUESTRATION. Bummer! But, the Air Force Marathon team will be at Harrigan’s on race morning with an information & sign-up booth.

Again this year, nearly 100 volunteers have committed to be there to make this run another great success.

Stay tuned for more information – all we need now is some delicious, warm, sunny weather!

With the forecast advising us temperatures will be in single digits during the next several days, is it any wonder people are pretty much rushing to sign up for Harrigan’s? Spring is just on the other side of the bitter cold we have ahead.

Registrations are nearing 200. GFS has recently confirmed they are fully committed to supporting the event again this year, we are getting ready to decide what shirt design to go for in 2013, and your medals are on order.

We are just about to send a message out to prior-year Harrigan’s volunteers asking them to plan to help us again this year. If you have family, friends, or co-workers that want to come cheer you on, check out the volunteer information here and please let us know at info@harrigans5k.com.

Most importantly, decide on what costume you plan to wear this year! Check out some great DDN pics from 2012 here.

We received some great news from Reynolds & Reynolds: as a result of their runners’ enthusiasm from prior years, the Reynolds & Reynolds Wellness Program is sponsoring 50 runners for 2013. Thanks to Alice for supporting this event and the Reynolds & Reynolds employees’ wellness objectives. Welcome back to prior participants, and a particularly warm welcome to new runners for this year!

Registrations are on fire … we are already at 132, way ahead of any prior year. If you want a tech shirt, you would be wise to get registered rather soon.

The first snowfall and true winter weather having settled in puts us in the mind of SPRING and the next Harrigan’s 5k.

We  have 33 registrations so far, leaving 117 tech shirts are still to be claimed – get YOURS while the getting is good.

Happy holidays to all!

To anyone checking in with us early, we are pleased to let you know that online registration is open. If you prefer to enter by mail, you can print the form from this site or use a pdf available from www.speedy-feet.com > races > Harrigans5k.

Free tech tees again this year will be produced for the first 150 that register … it is never too early to claim yours.

As warm as the winter has been so far, the next Harrigan’s 5k might be conducted in record temperatures … so we look forward to yet another beautiful day when we next come together to celebrate the leprechauns.