Are you interested in an early celebration of the "Luck of the Irish" and a fun way to get in some family-friendly exercise?  Then head on out to Ann Arbor, Michigan this Sunday, March 15th and participate in the Shamrocks & Shenanigans Run/Walk Race fundraiser benefiting the "Save A Heart" foundation at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.  

     The "Save A Heart" foundation provides funds for patients with congenital heart disease and their families who seek treatment from the Michigan Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.  The Shamrocks & Shenanigans Race, presented by Conor O'Neill's Traditional Irish Pub and Running Fit, includes a 5K Run/Walk, Kid's Dash, and Kid's 1K Run.  The run/walk has raised approximately $61,000 for "Save A Heart" since the first race was held in the year 2000 according to Sara Hickey, Administrative Manager, at C.S. Mott Hospital.  Hickey says that families seeking treatment "come from all over".  According to Hickey, the proceeds from the race assist families with food, transportation, Ronald McDonald House or hotel stays, plane tickets, and gas money for transportation to and from appointments.  Monies are also used to fund a Child Life Specialist to provide recreational and medical play therapy for children who will be undergoing a procedure at the hospital.  A relatively small portion of the proceeds goes towards research, states Hickey.

     The Shamrocks & Shenanigans Race begins and ends in front of Conor O'Neill's at 318 S. Main St. Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The start times are 11:00 a.m. for both the Kid's Dash and 1K run and 11:30 a.m. for the 5K run/walk.  Will Smith, Administrative Manager for Running Fit, says that online registration for the race (at www.runshamrocks.com) is open until 12:00 p.m. Friday, March 13th.  The cost of the 5K, Kid's 1K, and Kid's Dash is $25.00, $12.00, and $7.00, respectively.  For late-registration on the day of the race, the cost goes up to $30.00, $16.00, and $10.00, respectively.  Individuals interested in registering for the event, but who miss the online deadline, can still sign up at the early registration prices on Saturday March 14th only during "packet pick-up" and late registration to be held at the Celtic Room at Conor O'Neill's (see address above) between the hours of  3-5 p.m..  Packet pick-up and late registration on the day of the race (prices go up this day) occurs between 9:00-11:00 a.m. and is located in the parking lot behind Conor O'Neill's. 

     Currently, there are over 1,000 participants registered for the race with another 200-300 anticipated to sign-up the day of the race.  For this reason, it is strongly encouraged that those who wish to register or who have already registered attend the "packet pick-up" and late registration offering on Saturday to avoid delays the day of the race.

     The overall top male and female finishers will be awarded shoes from  Running Fit.  The top 3 finishers in each age group will receive awards.  All children who run in the Dash and 1K runs will receive medals.  

     In addition to the three races, there will be the Shamrocks and Shenanigans Irish Festival which will be located in a big tent behind Conor O'Neill's.  It will include live Irish music, Irish dancers, bagpipers and activities for the kids such as face painting.  So come on out for fun exercise and a great time that helps families affected by congenital heart disease find their "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow".

For more information on Shamrocks & Shenanigans visit www.runshamrocks.com. or www.conoroneills.com.