Westminster Half April 7th

Lucky Laces 5 & 10k at the start line

Your correspondent and wife Holly at Lucky Laces

Green Man at the Lucky Laces 5 & 10K

It's 10k time March 17th

Lucky Laces 5K/10K & Little Leprechaun Fun Run       Event Name: Lucky Laces 5K/10K & Little Leprechaun Fun Run     Event Date and Time: Saturday, March 17, 2012  @ 10:00 a.m.     Event Distance: 5K & 10K [Image]   City and State: Denver , CO     Event Address: City Park, Denver, Colorado   view map     Description: St. Patrick's Day 2012

Online Registration Closing at Midnight March 14, 2012!!!

With over 1,000 lucky Lads & Lasses already registered to participate in Lucky Laces on St. Patrick's Day, you can still share the green and the warmth of spring!

Beat the clock and register online by midnight, March 14, 2012 or register in person at two packet pickups (details below) or at the event!

Run or walk with all your might on Saturday, March 17, to the sound of Celtic tunes, bagpipes, and the like.  

The party continues on Sunday! Nestle down, if you'd like, with kin and kinfolk on the day after at our hosted post-St. Patty Day Awards Party at Scruffy Murphy's for food, drinks, live music, family, fun and awards!

Register Now!!!

Taking in the race expo at ROTG 2012

Finish line Race Announcer at ROTG

Interview: Terry McGrath Race Director ROTG

What advice would you give first time ROTG runners and walkers?  Train. Train. Train.  This urban course is longer than a 5k and has its share of elevation changes, most people love the challenge of the course unless they are not prepared as it runs like a 10k for the novice. Runners don’t run 7k usually and that distance can be challenging for many—they are ready for a 5k and that extra 2k can really cause some pain! Our course is also in downtown Denver and the streets are wide enough for passing. Pacing is so important at the start of a race. With the wide areas to run, some racers will be tempted to start to fast. Once they start heading up the hill close to mile number 2 they will really feel that quick start!!

How much has ROTG changed over the years? A lot.  It started as a 5k in City Park ,  and moved to LoDo the second year. We became the Lucky 7 k as we wanted a longer run and wanted something different –there just are not many 7k races around and definitely none that attract as many runners as we do! At the time there were no races were in LODO and very few in city street races. Our race has a great Denver feel to it and we really like that.  We also wanted something other than the St. Pats parade that people  could  participate in rather than watch. And if you look at our crowds we are starting to draw spectators along with all the runners. It’s just great for LoDo. In addition, we wanted and got an alternative St. Pattys day event so we became Denver’s Classic Irish Jog.  

Talk a little bit about your venue downtown and how that adds to the event.  The urban jungle feel – you are in Lodo and then next thing you are running past Coors Field—how neat is that? The streets are tight-the turns leaving the start to the race and then the sweeping views of the city as runners come back into LoDo from the other side of I-25. Ask any of runners and they will tell you about the rolling hills that people driving never notice! And after the race? We have one heck of a block party!! This is just unheard of—in fact I’d say we have the best period. Also, our block party in LoDo was voted the best by Colorado Runner a few years back. ROTG is on the must do of most peoples run calendar. It’s that first big event of the season for many competitive runners.  It is an annual welcome to spring too.  Get your shoes out of the closet, get off the couch  and start running again.  At the seasons first big race.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a race director?  Starting in September of each year…and there simply is never enough time for everything!!!

Describe your typical race day.  Up at 4 am…. then work at 1000 miles an hour all  day…I look up and all of a  sudden it’s 4 in the afternoon! The streets return to normal like nothing ever happened. No race. No party. Nothing.    But in reality its sheer pandemonium. I’m dealing with vendors, runners, timing, scoring, I lose 10 pounds in 12 hours it takes 3 full days to recover brain and body. But I love it.

ROTG Lucky 7k

 

	Runnin' of the green WAS VOTED THE 2011 RACE OF THE YEAR BY Colorado runner magazine. "Like us" and be eligible to win a $100 gift certificate to Runners Roost and free entry into the 25th Anniversary of Runnin' of the Green. EARLY PACKET PICK UP  Runners Roost 1685 S Colorado Blvd Friday March 9th 3pm - 7pm and Saturday March 10th 10am - 4PM

 

 

Denver's Classic Irish Jog

www.rotg.org

The Recovery Approach

Good read on how Ryan Hall and other endurance athletes are optimizing training by resting, eating and sleeping more.
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=25386&PageNum=1