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| The Irish Sprint & Stride was created in 1979. All runs
have been on the Saturda Even though it was the first year with only 42 invited runners, the run had giant race banners, shamrocks painted on every mile, race numbers, bagpipers, US Marine Corps Color Guard...yes, even in 1979 there were a great number of Marines participating in harmony with the San Francisco civilian community. In the first three years, many people called the run the Irish Beagle Sprint. Two famous beagles by the names of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins participated in the run. Fortunately, nobody tripped and everyone survived the course. After the race and awards ceremony, it was customary to hold a brunch at either The Cliff House, the Lake Merced Boathouse, or, in some cases, The Irish Cultural Center (not an oxymoron). Over the years, the race has evolved into one of San Francisco's classic events. It continues to be the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. It is also one of the rare events that combines everyone from all walks of life that like to run, have fun, or perhaps be a little Irish on that special day. This affair is truly a unique blending of San Francisco's military family: Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Marine Corps - active and reserve. The military teams are also complemented by teams from the San Francisco Fire and Police departments. The emphasis continues to be a fun run now operated by the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Northern California. The race has had bagpipers, cheerleaders, concerts by the United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps and many other events all designed to make it a special happening. The fun usually begins around 9 AM, one hour before the race starts. The celebration continues throughout the day with the runners receiving awards directly after the race, as well as enjoying picnics and barbeques at the race site. Many people say that Lake Merced resembles the Lakes of Killarney in Southern Ireland. Lake Merced is about three miles south of San Francisco's famous Golden Gate Park and approximately one mile from the Pacific Ocean. It is contiguous to the charming San Francisco zoo. |
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y before
St. Patrick's Day. The run's emphasis was strictly on fun. The
course is 4.5 miles for the runners and 4.0 miles for the
walkers/striders. Many of the initial 42 runners of year one in 1979 were
from the DSE Running Club in San Francisco. The DSE Running Club
emphasizes the participation of everyone - all sizes and shapes. Their
famous motto was: "START SLOW AND TAPER OFF".