15601 Sweedler Road, Manhattan IL
Saturday, March 8th, 2025
🎉 Race Overview
- Event Date: March 8, 2025
- Location: 15601 Sweedler Road, Manhattan, IL
- Link: Manhattan Irish Fest 5k
- New for 2025: The race is part of the R.R.C.A Championship circuit for Illinois!
🚦 Sweeper Information
- Pace: A Sweeper will maintain a 20-minute mile pace per mile.
- Official Time: Stay ahead of the sweeper to ensure an official time at the finish.
- Course Marshals: These will be on course until the sweeper passes them.
- Cooperation: This event is presented by the Prairie State Road Runners in partnership with the Irish American Society of County Will.
- Race Unique: Starts a parade and runs along the parade route.
- Awards and Food: Admission to the main tent for awards, food, and beverages after the race.
🅿️ Parking Details
- Limited Parking: Due to the parade, parking in town is very limited.
- Recommended Location: Park at the Metra station at 15601 W. Sweedler.
- Bus Service: Begins from the Metra Station at 9:00am with the last bus at 10:30am.
- Starting Line: The race forms at the intersection of North and Thelma streets, near St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Christ.
📅 Race Day Registration and Packet Pickup
- Location: Metra station is the designated area for race day registration and packet pickup.
- Timing: Registration starts at 8:30am and closes at 10:00am.
- Bus Service: Available from the Metra station to the starting line after registration.
📦 Early Packet Pickup
- Date: Available on Friday, March 7th at Fitness Premier in Manhattan.
- Festival Buttons: Option to purchase additional festival buttons at a special presale price of $10 each.
- Admission: Buttons grant admission to the festival that same evening.
🚌 Shuttle Service
- Service Start: Shuttle bus service begins at 9:00am with the last bus at 10:30am.
- Warm-up: If you miss the bus, you will have a one-mile warm-up run to the starting line.
- Gear Check: There will be no gear check, so please leave your extra things in your car.
- Return Service: Buses will return participants to the Metra parking lot after the race.
🏁 The Race
- Certification: The course is certified (USATF #IL15029).
- Timing Mats: There will be timing mats at both the start and finish lines.
🎶 Post-race Party
- Snacks: Water and snacks will be available at the finish line.
- Main Tent: Find hot sandwiches, beer, and other beverages for purchase.
- Entertainment: Enjoy live music, Irish dancing, and bagpipe bands in the main tent.
- Coupons: All race participants will receive coupons for a free beer or non-alcoholic beverage.
🏆 Awards
- Trophies: Overall male and female winners will receive trophies.
- Masters Division: Overall Master Male and Female (40 and over) will also receive trophies.
- Age Groups: Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each age group.
- Participation Awards: All participants 14 and under will receive a participation award at the finish line.
🤝 Volunteer Information
- Registration: Volunteers can register to assist at the event.
- Benefits: Receive an Irish Fest Admission Button and coupons.
- No Sweat: Volunteers don’t have to break a sweat!
🕔 Registration Cut-off
- Deadline: Last day to register for a guaranteed shirt in your desired size is February 15th.
- Extra Shirts: Available on a first-come, first-served basis at packet pickup for those who register after February 15th.
Starting Line Map
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