St Patrick's Day is the true launch of the Maine racing season, starting with two of the best and fastest growing Irish/St Patrick Day races in Maine. The Irish Road Rover 5K (March 8), & Mary's Walk and Kerryman Pub 5k (March 15), get underway in the next few weeks. In these trying times we need reason to celebrate and what better way than with a run for a good cause and then hoist a pint to celebrate with your mates.

The first official Irish Road Rover 5K started in 1997 and was started by Dan Mckeown. Its tradition, however, dates back much earlier to when Dan's brother Tommy and his friends got together early St. Patrick's Day for several years to run a course in Syracuse, NY and Dan decided to dedicate that memory to his Brother. As Dan says, "It is their spirit of fun and friendship that has been the goal of the "Rover". So after the race, have a toast to running, to good health and to good friends old and new". Isn't that what life is all about anyway? Thanks, Dan, for all your work these past 12 years.

Please note, this years Rover will Not have race day registration as Brian Boru, just simply can not accomodate the growing crowd of the race. So final registration will take place on Satruday, March 7, from 10am - 3pm, at Maine Running Company. Also, don't forget, Daylight Savings starts this saturday, so set your clock ahead one hour....and aren't we all looking for that extra hour of daylight to get our run in?

Mary's Walk and Kerryman Pub 5K is in it 's 11th year and has raised over $1,000,000 for the Maine Cancer Foundation and provides grants for cancer research. An avid walker along Saco's Main Street, Mary Kerry Libby was well known for her friendly smile, gracious charm and kindness. A much-loved mother of four, wife, sister, daughter and friend, Mary lost her courageous battle with cancer on March 7, 1997 at 44 years of age. The first Mary's Walk was held on the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day in March 1999. In the past 10 years over 12,000 people have participated in Mary's Walk and the Kerrymen Pub Road Race. The walk is held in conjunction with the Kerrymen Pub Road Race, a long-standing event on the road race circuit.

As the website continues to state, "Mary's Walk is truly making a difference in funding Maine based cancer research. It is our hope that the spirit of caring and support generated by Mary's Walk will help families now battling cancer in some small way. For as long as people continue to care about their loved ones dealing with cancer and until there is a defined cure for this disease, Mary's Walk will continue to grow and benefit families and friends throughout Maine". Anyone having been touched by cancer, knows that these events can make a difference.

So celebrate the St Paddy's day by getting out to help the cause....Run, Walk...just do something to fight this disease...

And remember....Run Happy!