Manhattan Irish Fest Parade 5k

🍀 Welcome to Irish Fest

In cooperation with the Irish American Society of County Will, the Prairie State Road Runners proudly presents the annual Manhattan Irish Fest Parade 5k. This unique race starts a parade, runs along the parade route, and is included with festival activities. After competing on a fast and flat road race course, runners get admission to the main tent for awards, food and beverages.

🚗 Parking

• Limited Availability: Because of the parade, parking in town is very limited.
• Recommended Parking: We strongly advise all race participants to park at the Metra station at 15601 W. Sweedler.
• Bus Service: Bus service at the Metra Station begins at 9:30 am, with the last bus leaving at 10:30 am.
• Race Start Location: The race begins at the intersection of North and Thelma streets near St. Paul's United Church of Christ.

📋 Race Day Registration and Packet Pickup

The Metra station is also the designated area for race day packet pickup starting at 8:30 am with bus service from there to the starting line. ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 10:00 AM ON RACE DAY OR IF RACE HITS CAPACITY.

🏃‍♂️ Early Packet Pickup

Race packets may be picked up on Friday at Fitness Premier in Manhattan from 1 pm until 8 pm. When registering for the race, you will have the option to purchase additional festival buttons at the special pre-sale price of $10 each. Though we strive for accuracy, please make sure you receive the correct amount of festival buttons before leaving the fitness center. The buttons are good for admission to the festival that same evening, so you may want to plan to get your packet early.

🚌 Shuttle Service

• Start Time: Shuttle bus service begins at 9:30 am, with the last bus leaving at 10:30 am.
• Warm-Up Option: If you miss the bus, you will have but a one-mile warm-up run from the lot to the starting line.
• No Gear Check: Please leave your extra things in your car.
• Post-Race Transportation: A bus at Anna McDonald school takes you back to the Metra parking lot, with the last bus leaving at 12:30 pm.

🏁 The Race

Start line is at Thelma Ave and North St. The finish line is at Second St and Eastern Ave. There will be timing mats at the start and finish!

🎉 Post-Race Party

Snacks and water will be available at the finish line: however, participants will want to make their way to the main festival tent, where they will find hot sandwiches, beer, and other beverages for purchase. The post-race party and awards will be inside the main tent, where there will be live music, Irish dancing, and a bagpipe performance! All race participants will receive a coupon on their race bib to redeem for a free beer or non-alcoholic beverage. Soft drinks will be available at the PSRR booth as non-alcoholic drinks.

🏆 Awards

Overall male and female winners will receive trophies. Overall Master male and female (40 and over) will receive trophies. All other age groups will receive medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Age groups are: 14 and Under: and 5-year age groups beginning with 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, etc. to 80 and over. All participants that are 14 and under will receive a participation award at the finish line.

🙋‍♂️ Volunteers Needed

Register as a volunteer and receive an Irish Fest Admission Button. You don't even have to break a sweat!

👕 Race Shirts

Race shirts are ordered about a month before race day. We will order extra shirts, but if you register closer to race day, extra shirts will be on a first come first basis, based on available inventory when you register.

🔗 More Information

For more details, please visit the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade 5k page.