Runners step out ahead of marchers
Before crowds started cheering for the Irish stepdancers and bagpipe bands, they cheered for runners.
This year's Brian P. Kelly Memorial St. Patrick's Day Parade 2-Mile Footrace included 315 people who ran the parade route. They started at Lackawanna College and turned around once they reached St. Peter's Cathedral.
The number of runners increases each year, and the weather definitely helped on Saturday, race director Mike O'Malley said.
"It feels like it's 80 degrees out after the winter we had," he said.
This was the 31st anniversary of a pre-parade race, and the eighth year it has been run in honor of Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly, who had been president and treasurer of the St. Patrick's Parade Association of Lackawanna County, died in 2004 at the age of 35. Proceeds from the race go to a scholarship fund set up for Norah Kelly, Mr. Kelly's daughter.
Bill Lawrence of Scranton ran the race dressed like a leprechaun, with green pants, suspenders and hat.
"The pantyhose fit perfectly," he said, laughing. "It's a lot of fun."
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter