On Saturday, March 11, Dyck Arboretum will celebrate its 11th Go Green Leprechaun Run. The event will again include a 10K race and 2 mile fun run/walk for all ages, with St. Patrick’s Day-themed refreshments and a medal ceremony. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 9:15 a.m. for both distances at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, 177 West Hickory in Hesston. Both chip-timed distances will begin at 9:30.
What started out as a 2-mile fun run to encourage people to go “green” with wise environmental practices and to celebrate St Patrick’s Day expanded to also include a 10K run in 2014. Over the years, participants have also gotten into the Go Green spirit by dressing up in themed costumes.
“With this event, we have been able to engage the community in a healthy activity, which was an important goal of our founders,” said arboretum Education Coordinator and Race Director Brad Guhr. “Evie and Harold Dyck dreamed of creating a place for people young and old to congregate, have a recreational outlet and enjoy native plants in a prairie garden setting. These ideals provided inspiration and guidance for the development of our first ever Go Green Leprechaun Run in 2011.”
This year’s race swag options will include three black and green tri-blend shirt options: unisex short sleeve, ladies v-neck short sleeve and unisex long sleeve. Additional details and registration can be found online at dyckarboretum.org/arboretum-event/go-green-leprechaun-run-2023/
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION is available through midnight on Wednesday, March 1, and ensures registrants will receive their race shirt on race day. Online registration will close midnight, Thursday, March 9, but in-person registration is available on March 10 at packet pickup (3 to 6 p.m.) and before the race March 11 (8:30 to 9:15 a.m.).
Business partners for the 2023 Leprechaun Run include Adrian & Pankratz, Attorneys at Law; AGCO Corporation; Golden Plains Credit Union; Kairos Consulting and Counseling, LLC, and Red Truck Painting.
For information about registering or volunteering, please visit www.dyckarboretum.org, or contact the arboretum office at arboretum@hesston.edu or call 620-327-8127.