MEDIA RELEASE – Aiming for 100 under 17 at the St Patrick’s Day 5K

(Vancouver, BC – March 10, 2026) For the last 20 years, St Patrick’s Day in Vancouver has been notable for green beer, a great party, and one of the finest and most competitive 5K races in Canada. Proving that it’s possible to have both a good time, and a fast time.

It has long been the goal of race director Steve Mattina to see the top-100 racers cross the finish line in under 17 minutes. Last year 91 athletes bettered that time. Will this year be the year?

On Saturday, March 14, the St Patrick’s Day 5K returns to Vancouver’s Stanley Park, where Olympians will line up alongside the best high school and university athletes in the second race in the Lower Mainland Road Race Series, and green and gold will be the colours of choice. Both races should produce close finishes.

On the men’s side John Gay and Thomas Broatch each have two previous wins. Olympic steeplechase finalist Gay, the 2019 and 2024 winner and course record holder (14:04), hasn’t raced in over a year. While Broatch, the defending champion, is better known as a marathon specialist. Will either be able to claim their third title? Yumane Mulugeta, who finished third last year, will be looking to deny either of them. Age 20, he’s improved every year, and most recently finished 6th in the 3000m at the NAIA Indoor Championships. Mulugeta’s Trinty Western teammate, Justin Kiplagat, won silver in the 1500m at the same NAIA Championships, and may be in with a shot if he can hang with the leaders for 5K.

Without Glynis Sim returning to claim a hat-trick of titles, the women’s race is wide open. Last years third through eighth place finishers all return, together with several other notables. Based on this winter’s racing, the top contenders include Ally Ginther (2nd at Icebreaker 8K, 6th at the First Half), Andrea Lee (3rd at IB, 7th at FH), Jenna Melanson (4th at IB, 5th at FH), and Leslie Sexton (5th at IB). But that overlooks last year’s third place Holly MacGillivray, and Olympic steeplechaser Alycia Butterworth. Course record holder (15:29) Sarah Inglis also returns, but is not expected to challenge for the podium.

Western universities are well represented, using the opportunity to bridge between their indoor and outdoor track seasons. In addition to Trinity Western, University of Alberta make the trip from Edmonton, as well as UBC and UBC Okanagan.

Up the age groups, newly turned master David Mutai will be hard to beat for the 40+ title. Close behind expect to find Craig McMillan racing to beat the M4549 BC and Canadian records of 15:15.

At the other end of the spectrum, the race also gives opportunity for the top competitors from the BC High School Cross Country Championships to test themselves in open competition. Most notable, AAA Senior champion Claire Babiuk, and Junior champion Clara Simpson, both from Victoria, will have their own private battle.

In addition to the prizing for the top-10 overall, $150 is up for grabs courtesy of RunGo for the first male and female through the mile, provided they continue and finish within 1 minute of the race winner.

While the serious athletes may have fast times as their goal, many more will come dressed in green, and will enjoy the Irish stew, fill their souvenir beer glass, and dance a jig or two at the post-race party. Proceeds from the event benefit Diabetes Canada, with more than $125,000 donated since the first race in 2006.

The race starts at 9:30am on Pipeline Drive, and circles around Park Drive via Brockton Point, before finishing back up Pipeline to the Stanley Park Pavilion.

Late registration is available in person at the Robson Street Running Room on Thursday and Friday.

Complete race information at https://www.stpatricks5k.com/

For more information contact:

Steve Mattina – Race Organizer

info@stpatricks5k.com