And they’re off!  More than 900 runners, led by the Pied Piper, Mark Schnorr, dash out on a 5k race in Excelsior, Minnesota. Its an annual foot race and fundraiser, sponsored by the Excelsior Chamber of Commerce.

In the meantime, 124 runners registered for the 1 mile race, a quickie in town that was dominated by fleet-footed shorties.

A ” doodle” and her mistress were pleased to show the green on Water Street during the 5k run.

Brian Duggan and his earnest running mate Colin Fitzpatrick closed on the finish line, completing the 5k run in under 2 hours!  Colin was no help at all, requiring a brief pit stop on the race course. That’s Colin holding up Brian.

Mike Poehler played tuba in high school and is a member of an area church orchestra, but on Saint Paddy’s Day, he’s returned for the fourth running to serenade anyone within ear shot. He prefers jazz riffs, he says.

The kilted ladies of Waconia.  Jay Pomeroy and Fred Weppner decided to run several 5k’s a year and what better than in Scottish kilts?  Neither has a drop of Scottish blood, by the way. No matter, they had great fun.

The proof’s in the pudding.  A selfie will prove to the disbelieving at work that this greened-out trio did indeed run the Excelsior 5k and finished in under 5 hours.