What a great race the Paddy's Pub Shillelagh Shuffle Road Race turned out to be on Oct. 17th.. West Newton was the town and Paddy's Pub was the place. This was their 9th annual and the last of the year in a pub series.

Mark Kelly was the overall coordinator and it was easy to tell. I'd ask people where he was and when I got to where I was told he would be, he'd been there and gone. This is what the day of a race organizer is like. He, along with the help of others, did a great job and gave to all that came a wonderful race and a great day.

The money raised goes to the Newton Special Athletes Program and a record 1980 runners and walkers came to participate and enjoy the day. There were many events for kids of all ages along with bounce houses for them, also.

The course wound through the town and provided some very fast times for runners of all levels. The food after the race was fantastic and plentiful. If you went away hungry it was your own fault. And Paddy's Pub was there to make the day even more complete.

My hat's off to this race and all those that put it on. The day was great. The people were wonderful and everything ran smoothly so all that came could just enjoy.

PUT THIS RACE ON YOUR CALENDER AND COME AND ENJOY

You'll meet many of the people that were there in the next 2 entries.