ARC holds St. Patrick's Day 5K, 10K

The Arlington Runners Club hosted a number of racers dressed in green during their annual St. Patrick;s Day 5K and 10K races on March 12.

“Today is our St. Patrick’s race. We do it every year as an annual fundraiser for Eagle Wings disAbility Ministry,” said Devin Brossard, president of the Arlington Runners Club.

Brossard said he enjoys all the people who come down to the event.

“Everyone is just excited to be here,” he said.

Rudy Swirt said he wanted to start a 5K for 2022 and the Arlington event was the first race to pop up.

“A lot of the events I do are further down south so I was excited there was one close by,” said Swirt, who lives in Mt. Vernon.

He has been to Arlington Runners Club events before and said he enjoys participating in them.

“I just enjoy getting together with other people that enjoy running. It’s a chance to see what you can do for a day,” he said.

The races took place around the Arlington Airport and many of the racers took the opportunity to come in their greenest outfits.

“They also like there is a beer garden afterward at the Elemental Cider company,” said Brossard.

The race is also a good opportunity for people to ramp up their physical activity for the spring.

“A lot of times people are less active in the winter so it gives people a reason to get up and get moving,” said Brossard.

The St. Patrick’s 5K and 10K, as well as other local runs such as the Turkey Trot and runs during the Fourth of July are organized by the Arlington Runners Club.

“The Arlington Runners Club is a nonprofit organization that raises money for other nonprofit organizations,” said Brossard.

They are a volunteer organization.

“Our whole mission is make the whole community healthier, more connected and thriving, so all of our events are family friendly,” said Brossard.

All of their events give money away to local non-profits.

For the St. Patrick’s Day run, that organization is the Eagle Wings disAbility Ministry.

“They have just been a great partner. It’s a ministry, a faith-based organization, and they take volunteers and coordinate with adults with developmental disabilities to provide services for them to help them live independently and have respect in their lives,” said Brossard.

He also said they help a lot with the event.

“They have been a great partner. They promote events well and get a lot of volunteers here,” said Brossard. “All the money we raise for them we know will go toward making incredible changes in our community."