Site last updated: Friday, March 29, 2024

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Annual Shamrock Shuffle held

The 10th annual Shamrock Shuffle gets under way Saturday morning in Harmony. The Shuffle featured 5K, half-marathon and mile events and was open to runners of all ages and abilities.

HARMONY — Crowds descended on the borough early Saturday morning for the start of the 10th annual Shamrock Shuffle.

The Shuffle featured a 5K, half-marathon and mile events and was open to runners of all ages and abilities, from children and adults to stroller-bound infants and canine companions.

“It was good. It was a cold start, then the killer hill at about the two-mile point,” said Brian Branby from Zelienople. “It was me and my two daughters.” The three of them have made running a family hobby.

“(We) try to do these every month,” Branby said. “And every one in Harmony and Zelienople we try to do.”

The first event kicked off at 7:30 a.m., with others scheduled until 11:30 a.m. when the awards were given and the post-race party began while attendees gathered for food, refreshments and green beer.

Holly Matsko of Cranberry Township ran all three races and said the Shuffle is one of her favorite events of the year.

“It was great. A little cold but a lot of fun,” she said. “This is one of the best events out there. Just really well put together, a lot of fun … Everyone should come and do it sometime.”

In addition to providing area runners a memorable St. Patrick's Day event, the Shamrock Shuffle also raises money for the Zelienople Rotary.

“It was a fundraiser with the organization Get Fit Families I run for. My friend from school got me into it since we both run distance,” said Jeremy Stevenson, a 7th grader from Mars. “It went pretty good … I ran the 5K and the mile.”

The event was founded a decade ago by Joella Baker, founder of Get Fit Families.“It's a great event. We love that it's running on St. Patrick's Day,” Baker said. “It's a lot of fun but it also supports the Zelienople Rotary Club,” Baker said. “And they do a lot for the community, as far as scholarships and the local food bank, as well as the Zelienople Park and the town itself.”In the 5K, for the men, Dan Carlino was first, Alexander Lloyd second and Noah Petersen took third.For the women: Katherine Fedko took first, Alaina Hicks was second and Julia Zalenski third.In the half-marathon, for the men, Samuel Betchelder was first, Benjamin Gross second and Matthew Slagle third.For the women: Kathleen Conway first, Catherine Hrack second and Sara Lander third.In the mile, for men, Noah Peterson took first, Mark Edwards second and Eric Peirce took third.For the women: Alexandra Gongas took first, Sara Lander second and Emmie Morrison third.

<div class="youtube"><iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LcvCsQl5OtE?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Brian Branby and his daughter's dog Piper pictured above. Branby ran in the Shamrock Shuffle with his two daughters.

More in Local News

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS