There will be a Sweeper at the race that will maintain a 20-minute per mile pace. Please stay ahead of the sweeper to be guaranteed an official time at the finish. Course marshals will be on course until the sweeper passes them.
We will hand out overall and age group winner awards in the main festival tent starting at around 12:30 pm until around 3 pm. Any awards not picked up on race day can be picked up at Manhattan Public Library on Monday, March 8, 2027, between 4:30 pm and 6 pm.
Welcome to Irish Fest: In cooperation with the Irish American Society of County Will, the Prairie State Road Runners proudly presents the annual Manhattan Irish Fest Parade 5k. This unique race starts a parade, runs along the parade route, and is included with festival activities. After competing on a fast and flat road race course, runners get admission to the main tent for awards, food and beverages.
Parking: Because of the parade, parking in town is very limited. We strongly advise all race participants to park at the Metra station at 15601 W. Sweedler, and take the buses that will be provided. Bus service at the Metra Station begins at 9:30am. The last bus leaving the Metra Station for the start line is 10:30am. The race begins at the intersection of North and Thelma streets near St. Paul's United Church of Christ.
Race Day Registration and Packet Pickup: The Metra station is also the designated area for race day packet pickup starting at 8:30 am with bus service from there to the starting line. (See below for early packet pickup). ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 10:00AM ON RACE DAY OR IF RACE HITS CAPACITY.
Early Packet Pickup: Race packets may be picked up on Friday at Fitness Premier in Manhattan from 1pm until 8 pm. When registering for the race, you will have the option to purchase additional festival buttons at the special pre-sale price of $10 each. Though we strive for accuracy, please make sure you receive the correct amount of festival buttons before leaving the fitness center. The buttons are good for admission to the festival that same evening, so you may want to plan to get your packet early.
Shuttle Service: Shuttle bus service begins at 9:30am. The last bus is scheduled to leave Metra Station at 10:30. If you miss the bus, you will have but a one-mile warm-up run from the lot to the starting line. There will be no gear check, so please leave your extra things in your car. After the race, a bus at Anna McDonald school takes you back to the Metra parking lot. The last bus from the finish area will be leaving for the Metra Station at 12:30pm.
The Race: Start line is at Thelma Ave and North St. The finish line is at Second St and Eastern Ave. There will be timing mats at the start and finish!
Post-race Party: Snacks and water will be available at the finish line, however participants will want to make their way to the main festival tent, where they will find hot sandwiches, beer, and other beverages for purchase. The post-race party and awards will be inside the main tent where there will be live music, Irish dancing, and a bagpipe performance! All race participants will receive a coupon on their race bib to redeem for a free beer or non-alcoholic beverage. Soft drinks will be available at the PSRR booth as non-alcoholic drinks.
Awards: Overall male and female winners will receive trophies. Overall Master male and female (40 and over) will receive trophies. All other age groups will receive medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Age groups are: 14 and Under; and 5-year age groups beginning with 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, etc. to 80 and over. All participants that are 14 and under will receive a participation award at the finish line.
Volunteers needed: Register as a volunteer and receive Irish Fest Admission Button. You don't even have to break a sweat!
Race shirts are ordered about a month before race day. We will order extra shirts, but if you register closer to race day, extra shirts will be on a first come first basis, based on available inventory when you register.