Race Review: Lucky Leprechaun 7K

This is the fourth year I’ve run this race and this year had the best weather, by far! Sunny skies and upper 30s – low 40s temps made for a pleasant race. Afterwards though, the wind picked up a little bit and that made post race socializing last about as long as the free beer lasted, lol! And for the third straight year, I was able to lower my time, so that was pretty cool.

The overall feeling I have about this race is that it is pretty good with great management, but it could be better. One of the biggest reason I run it (and best reason, really) is that it supports the MACC Fund, an organization that benefits children fighting cancer. Great cause to run for! Now I’ll get into the rest of my review which will give the explanation why I give this race 4 stars and not five.

T-shirts/Swag: You get a free cotton t-shirt which has looked the same for every year of the race. Ot needs a change; something, I don’t know. But something to mix it up. The end of the race provides you with free coffee/hot chocolate, a local company’s chips, water, banana and two free beer from Miller Lite (and, yes, you can choose green beer if you like), but that’s all. And I consider post race food items to not really be swag. There’s no medal. No glasses. They do hand out green beads as well as chocolate coins, but come on. This race needs a medal. It could be great!

Aid stations: There is one water aid station on the course approximately in the middle of the course and that’s appropriate for this distance.

Course Scenery: I like it. Some of it takes place in a park; some of it on a main street in the city’s village area; and the rest of it takes place through residential neighborhoods. The trees aren’t in bloom yet obviously, but I still enjoy where we run.

Expo Quality: Not much to write about here. I give it some stars because you pick up your packet at a local running store so there is opportunity to shop if you like, but otherwise that’s it.

Elevation Difficulty: This course has some slight inclines and declines throughout it and then one major incline you have to run up before circling around a bit and then heading down the same path on the way back, so that’s nice.

Parking/Access: Parking is easy as long as you know what you’re doing, get there early and know the side streets where parking is simple and allowed.

Race Management: They are great. Yes, they send a ton of reminders to sign up even after you have already signed up but they include plenty of updates to any possible changes in course or weather as well. They keep you up to date with the packet pickup and provide a cool countdown to race day.

One last thing that I most assuredly should mention is the post race party. There is a DJ at the finish line blasting away and the emcee is full of energy as he yells out cheers for the finishers. Then, across the street is the main sponsor of the race, Leff’s Lucky Town, a local restaurant/bar that invites all to come over and eat, drink and listen to a band set up in an outdoor tent. The after party is pretty fun to chill out and hang with friends.

If you should be in the Milwaukee area around St. Patrick’s Day I would suggest signing up for this fun run with a festive atmosphere. It is a good time!

Race Review: Lucky Leprechaun 7K

Another St. Patrick’s Day holiday has come and gone and so has the 6th Lucky Leprechaun 7K, personally the third for me. And I must say this was the best of all three so far, all thanks to the simple fact it was a sunny day! The two previous years it was temps in the 30s and rain/freezing drizzle; not ideal conditions at all. This year was still chilly temps, but so much more reasonable to deal with thanks to the sun.

The packet pickup was the day before and located at a local running store. All nice and easy there with giving my name and getting my bib and shirt. After checking out a few running shoes and other gear, I was on my way. Next up: race day the next morning.

I was running behind and parked quickly and easily on a side street near the starting point so no getting nervous about missing the start. I think that is one of the best aspects of this race; there is enough parking in the area that you don’t have to worry about being miles away and having to walk forever to get to the race. As I walked up attaching my bib with my new BibRave Bibboards, I could hear the DJ pumping out pre race music and the countdown to start being shouted out. Once to the start, I stretched all the necessary areas and moved up as the clocked ticked down. With no trains coming (the race crosses tracks right at the beginning), the gun went off and we all were off and running! I chose an easy but steady pace as I was moving around and through people. After a half mile, I found myself in a nice spot and in a nice running flow and stuck with it. The reward for doing so: passing more people and and setting myself up at a great pace. And the reward for that? Setting my 7K PR WITH this race! And a thanks to Athlinks for finding my results and letting me claim them!

And after that PR and it being St. Patrick’s Day, of course you must celebrate with a refreshing beverage…green beer!

The DJ was dropping the beats, the beer was flowing, the party of post race finishers was jumping, the coffee and hot chocolate was also being poured for all to enjoy. After the post race party, the option existed to go across the street to the main sponsor’s location, Leff’s Lucky Town. This is such a fun race, even more when the weather is cooperating for all to enjoy. And it also means you can get a post race pic with “Lucky” the fastest leprechaun!

So, all in all, it was a great race day experience this year. No injuries and no crappy weather. Winning situation all the time!