Run to The Pub#2 half Marathon in Country

 Considering I barely got through 2 1/2 miles on the tread mill this morning I will wait till next year for this. But chance to win a trip to Dublin, sounds exciting

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/dailyfeatures/article_ccf6a632-5bb0-11e2-9683-001a4bcf887a.html



Bozeman’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Run to the Pub has been named the No. 2 “must-run” half marathon in the nation by Runner’s World magazine.
The February issue ranks the 27 best races based on the results of an online survey of more than 1,000 readers.

“There are now more than 1,500 half marathons in the country, which begs the question, which are the must-runs?” the magazine article states.

Started six years ago by Pub 317, the Run to the Pub gets runners to embrace their Irish spirit, dressing up in costumes in all different shades of green. Ice-cold beers await racers at the finish line.

It’s “the fun factor” that makes the race so awesome, said Tyler Wilkinson, race organizer and manager of Bozeman Running Co.

“It’s pretty much the kick-off to the running season for most people,” he said.

Runners have dressed up as beer bottles, rainbows with pots of gold and donned green mustaches, Wilkinson said.

Runner’s World ranked the Run to the Pub just behind the No. 1 race, the Naples Daily News half marathon, where warm weather is all but guaranteed in January. The New York City half marathon took third place.

The idea for the Run to the Pub was hatched by Pub 317 owner John Amsden after he went out for a run with a couple of buddies one St. Patrick’s Day, according to the magazine article.

One runner asked, “Where should we go?” Amsden replied, “Why not run to the pub?”

The event has become a 2,000-runner, rollicking St. Paddy’s fest from Amsden’s driveway to Pub 317’s door, the article says.

“Bagpipes send the costumed field (if no tutu, most at least wear a green shirt) onto a net downhill course, and a live band, corned beef, and Guinness greet runners at the finish,” the story continues.

Each year, finishers are entered into a drawing to win a trip to Ireland to compete in the Dublin Marathon. The trip includes a tour of the Guinness factory.

This year, four finishers will win a trip, and organizers are planning to close Main Street for the first time for the crowded event, Wilkinson said.

The race is scheduled for March 16. More information is available at racemontana.com.