WC Wisconsin News

For the first time since 2018, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was go time earlier this month for the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Shamrock Shuffle.

Approximately 400 runners, many wearing St. Patrick’s Day attire to mark the time of year, turned out on March 12 for the non-timed 5K walk/run fundraiser, the university's student newspaper reported. The event occurred along UW-Eau Claire's upper campus and followed the Chippewa Valley River.

Hosted and sponsored by UW-Eau Claire’s University Recreation and Sport Operations Department, the event that regularly attracted more than 1,000 participants prior to the pandemic is widely viewed in the area as the unofficial kick-off to the 5K season.

“Our event really is kind of a great kick-off to the running season,” race director Brittany Wold told the student newspaper, The Spectator. “People look forward to the festive attire, and also just getting their running season started and being part of the running community again."

Wold told WEAU her favorite part is seeing all the creativity.

"There was an individual today dressed as a giant Care Bear. That was probably my favorite one I’ve seen, but everyone’s so festive and is just so happy to be here. We love our participants," she said.

The race has been an area tradition for approximately two decades. Wold said this year, funds raised from the event will go toward student professional development and the university’s recreation department.

UW-Eau Claire student Jazmine Dewey attended this year’s festivities. 

“This group that I am with here, we are like a little running group and we pretty much just do 5Ks all around Wisconsin,” she said to The Spectator. “I’m looking forward to running around with my friends and family and running around Eau Claire."

Local businesses sponsoring the event included Direct Fitness Solutions, VIBE Nutrition, Trend Stone, Summit Fitness, Westconsin Credit Union and Fleet Feet, according to the university's website.