The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Shamrock Shuffle is back with a new event for kids

Photos: Spotted: 2009 Shamrock Shuffle

Fourth 'Transformers' shapes up for Bay to direct
3:09 p.m.
Clark Howard: Valentine’s saving tips anyone would love
8:50 a.m.
Taste of Mason serves up diversity
2/13/12
List of Grammy winners in select major categories
2/13/12
‘Spelling Bee’ musical onstage next weekend
2/5/12
> More headlines

By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 9:03 PM Friday, March 5, 2010

WEST CHESTER TWP. — The Shamrock Shuffle returns to the Square @ Union Centre on March 13, this time with a new kids event.

The Leprechaun Lap is a half-mile run for children, ages 4-10, according to Melissa Benedict, one of the organizers of the event.

“Kids will get a ribbon and a T-shirt, and they can pick up a goodie bag,” she said.

While that event is a half-mile loop around the Square @ Union Centre, the 5K/10K Shuffle is a 3.1-mile and 6.2-mile jaunt around the Union Centre Boulevard business district. New this year are computerized race times.

The race will cap off with a “kegs and eggs” breakfast at Dingle House Pub, 9102 Towne Centre Drive. The breakfast is included in the registration for the run.

The early registration deadline is Sunday, March 7. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 5-12, and $10 for the Leprechaun Lap. Registration increases to $30 after Sunday, and will be taken the day of the race. Registration is available online at www.wclfoundation.com.

Also on tap are a block party, featuring various booths from area merchants, and live entertainment that was still being determined at press time.

The timeline for the event is:

7:30 a.m.: Registration/block party starts

8:30 a.m.: 5K and 10K start

9 a.m.: Leprechaun Lap registration/breakfast for racers

9:45 a.m.: Leprechaun Lap

10 a.m.: Awards ceremony

Following that is the after-party at Dingle House Pub.

“It’s evolved over the four years we’ve been doing the run,” Benedict said. “Before that, we did a parade. Last year was the biggest year we ever had. We just really saw an increase with 2,000 people attending. As far as runs go, that’s pretty sizable for a short span of time.”

The run, now entering its fourth year, is a fundraiser for the West Chester/Liberty Community Foundation, for which the event has raised $12,000. Benedict is the vice president of donor services for that agency.

“We want to make it something fun to build the community and get people out,” she said.