Leprechauns run through Sisters

Green-clad runners and walkers filled the streets in the first annual Lucky Leprechaun walk and run, held Saturday, March 12, near downtown Sisters.

Race director Kelly Bither, who also put on the Ugly Sweater Run in December, felt ecstatic about the way the event turned out.

“The race went great,”she said. “It was so nice to see so many smiling faces. With so much turmoil in the world today it’s good to take a morning to come together and create lasting memories with friends and family.”

In the 10-kilometer race a battle developed right from the outset between the top male, Logan Dix, and top female, Christina Henderson. Ultimately, Dix, of Sisters, prevailed in 38:35, eight seconds ahead of Henderson, who hails from New York.

Henderson said, “We were kind of playing back and forth and I actually caught him about three times, but he would take off again. I didn’t know the course and I hadn’t raced in a couple of years, so it was a little hard to know what my race strategy should be, but the race was a lot of fun and the weather was amazing.”

In the 5k run, 2021 Sisters High School graduate John Peckham, now running for the University of Idaho (UI), cruised to the win in 17:56 after a 10-mile warmup run.

“It was all part of a training day,” he said.

Nell Baker, a friend of Peckham’s from the UI team, finished fifth overall and won the women’s division in 20:05, also as part of a training run. Her personal 5k best is 17:20.

Winners of all age divisions received finely crafted wooden awards and all participants took home a commemorative glass mug.

A total of 46 runners took part in the 10k and another 156 ran or walked in the 5k, with the majority of participants coming from out of town. Results can be found at http://www.runsistersrun.com.

With over 200 registrants, the race raised over $1,000 for the Sisters High School girls tennis team. Stellar Realty Northwest matched $2.50 of each entry fee to be earmarked for the teams.

Blither said, “I have the best volunteers, including members of the tennis team and my personal neighbors and friends. I love putting on these events and have plans for something this summer.”