Dear Race Participants, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family,
It’s hard to believe that a year has already gone by since we were in the process of opening package pickup for the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day 5k, what we hoped was going to be the best race year yet! For the first time ever, we had custom race bibs made and we had assembled what was likely the best 5k elite field in Canada. Our Ferrari Maserati Vancouver pace car was wrapped and ready to lead a sea of green participants around our 5k course in Stanley Park. The race venue was set up and our famous Irish Stew was being prepped and made. We had put in countless hours of planning and organizing and all the sponsors and volunteers were in place and then the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. Although the BC provincial health order for large social gatherings had not yet been announced, we made a decision not to hold the race for the health, safety and well being of all our participants. Shortly after, the official BC provincial health order for no social gatherings larger than 250 people was put in place and we were happy we had made the right decision.
Sadly, all the time and effort put into delivering an event near and dear to our hearts could not go forward. It is a special day for us every year seeing everyone dressed in green. For some, this would have been their first 5k race. It’s also a time when Canada’s best 5k runners and some Olympians/future Olympians come together to complete, striving for PBs and breaking course records.
Although the race wasn’t able to go ahead, some good did happen. The Union Gospel Mission was able to serve up our famous St. Patrick’s Day 5k Irish Stew to some 1,400 people on Vancouver’s east side. A lot of our participants still dressed up and ran their own 5k to celebrate the day.
We have had some runners inquire about hosting a virtual run but our feeling is that a virtual run will not replace the feeling and excitement of our event in person. The motto of our event is “Come for the Race….Stay for the Party…..” and a big part of our event is our Famous After Party which just would not be the same virtually.
We are deferring all race entries to 2022 where we hope we can all be together again and can “Come for the Race….and Stay for the Party….”
We miss our running community. This Saturday, March 13, 2021 would have been race day. So this Saturday (or all week), we would love it if you can keep the spirit of the St. Patrick’s Day 5k alive by dressing up in green, going for a run, and raising a glass to cheers your fellow runners.
Sláinte
Steve and Karen – Race Directors