Luck of the Leprechauns

COEUR d'ALENE - It was clear that Tammy Morris, Judy Hirschkorn and Melanie Simpson didn't show up to race the 20th annual Leprechaun Scurry.

Not when each was wearing a green hat that said, "Kiss Me I'm Irish," a long, green wig, bright green, knee-high socks and a green sash. These three running friends were there to enjoy an early celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

"We were going to be here, we thought we might as well have fun doing it," Morris said.

The race, which had been held the previous 19 years at North Idaho College, reeled in 307 runners and walkers who finished the new three-mile course at Lake City High School on Saturday. A fog overhead at the starting bell burned off by the time most finished on the LCHS track as it turned into a blue-skied, sun-splashed day.

Chris Morlan of Spokane, 42, topped the men's field in 16 minutes and 12 seconds, while Heather McLaughlin, 38, also of Spokane, was the first woman to finish in 18:34.

The Leprechaun Scurry got its start 20 years ago and two of those initial organizers, Donna Messenger and Damian Caires, ran on Saturday.

"We wanted to have a race before the Spring Dash," Messenger said. "It's kind of the first run of spring."

Over the years, Scurry runners have endured ice, rain, wind and snow, but many return regardless of conditions. Some said it must have been the luck of the Irish that delivered Saturday's sunshine.

The community race remains a fundraiser for LCHS running programs. The new course included a loop through Bluegrass Park.

"It was fun, but I feel slow," said Messenger, who won the women's 60 and over age division in 25:37.

Top local finishers included Brooke Erickson, 14, of Coeur d'Alene, third overall in the women's division in 22:09. She was followed by Shelly Olin, 47, of Coeur d'Alene in 22:27 and Jillian Potts, 24, of Coeur d'Alene in 22:59.

Local men were led by Justin Taylor, 34, of Coeur d'Alene, third overall in 17:24, Lance Clark, 33, of Rathdrum, fifth overall in 18:24, and Al Mayer, 54 of Coeur d'Alene and sixth overall in 19:01.