A crisp 7-degree chill filled the lungs of more than 230 runners the morning of March 16 as they prepared to take on Potterville’s first Blarney Stone Race. The cold temperatures may have kept people from signing up on the morning of the race, but it did not diminish the enjoyment felt by the participants.
“Mother nature really tried to mess with me on this one,” said Aric Prudden, program developer for the City of Potterville Parks and Recreation department. “It was a lot of fun. I was hoping to get more people to sign up on race day, but with the temperatures as cold as they were, it didn’t happen.”
Prudden was still pleased with the turnout for the City’s first attempt at a St. Patrick’s Day themed run. He said plans are already in the works for next year’s event. Prudden said 260 people registered for the race; 234 participated and 228 finished either the 5K, 10K or half marathon.
“Overall, I was very happy,” Prudden said. “We raised about $3,000 for the parks and rec department and the Mid-Michigan Cat Rescue.”
Prudden said he was especially thankful for all of the volunteers who helped out on race day, braving the frigid temperatures, which peaked at 16 degrees. The celebration continued at Lake Alliance following the race as EagleMonk Pub and Brewery of Mount Pleasant sponsored and set up a beer tent.
