Slap the Leprechaun 5K?

 Runners greeted on the first lap

The March Madness of the second annual "Lap the Leprechaun" 5K group run was a surprising hit. I had guessed maybe 25 folks would show based on our Facebook event page and the blustery weather. By the time late comers arrived, we were closer to last year's 50 green clad runners.

At the last second, we had to scramble to find a Leprechaun because last year's master of ceremonies Marc Potter was too busy with clients at his downtown hair salon. At about 9:30 AM yesterday, my co-conspirator Mike and I voted 2-0 that our office mate Marcos would inherit the job. Marcos did not disappoint and had to work hard to avoid the runners who tried to pinch, lap or "slap" him.

To top it off, we had a much larger post run party turnout than last year and the bar staff allowed us to we take over the Zane Gray Ballroom!

I must admit my favorite part of these free running events is returning home and sharing photos that capture the essence of Flagstaff running; community based and fun for runners of all ages and levels. Whether it is the New Years Day run, Lap the Leprechaun, Four on the Fourth, War Dog, Turkey Predictor, the Mayan Apocolypse (now Winter Solstice,) or Christmas Day run, these FREE celebratory occasions are a great way to meet and find new running friends!

So far, we are working on next year's slogan..."Slap the Leprechaun 5K" is in the lead. Have an idea? Let us know and our friends at Ramble Brothers will design next years shirt!

 Gang Green

 Marcos the Leprechaun leads the way

 Heading out on the first lap

 Martos chases down Marcos

 The co-conspirators surround their new recruit

 The Leprechaun didn't stand a chance against Sara in the home stretch

 I may have cheated, but purple tights can get away with that.

 Ella Bohn's first Lap the Leprechaun

 It took a while, but trendy purple tights are now the rage on Flagstaff trails!

 

Mike's hat told us what to do afterwards

 We finished the race and packed Zane Gray Ballroom!

Going Hog Wild on Chicken Point!

Pink Jeep Tour Driver captures the gang.

9 Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association runners and Tater left Flagstaff's chilly and windy morning behind to enjoy the warmth of Sedona. We beat the craziness of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade but knew we'd have to reroute our drive home to head south to I-17. 

25 years ago I took the role of Woodsy Owl at the Sedona Saint Patrick's Day Parade! "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute!" I got in trouble for speaking (Woodsy was just supposed to wave). This was easily the toughest Sedona workout ever....until today that is! 

We ran across Marj's Draw to Chicken Point, and then we tested out the new death defying Hog Wash Trail. We no longer recognize it as Marg's Draw because there is only Marj in Sedona and we shall honor the "j" spelling from now on! This was a spectacular run and we felt that every step of the Hog Wash might be our last. We had fun taking a "detour" that left us scrambling to the trail's high point, with Bruce, David, and Neil using each other as human ladders to climb up t he slick rock. Afterwards the group enjoyed coffee in the Village of Oak Creek far from the March Madness of Sedona's Saint Patrick Day Parade!

 

 Heading out towards MarG's Draw

 Dan and Tater.

The back of Jared's shirt summed up the run for all of us!

 Don amidst Sedona's slick rock splendor.

 Runners and tourists converge on Chicken Point.

 Waiting our turn on the point.

 Susan enjoying some brief solitude.

 

 Heading into the unknown.

 Views most of us had never seen before.

 Whoops...where is that trail?

 Two of Sedona's newest trails.

Almost back to the trail head.