Throwing the gauntlet down, Tim McDonnell, Executive Director
of the Irish American Heritage Center, challenged the Irish community and anyone within earshot to race him on Sunday, September 19th in the First Annual Chicago Kilt Run.
One brick short of a load, the President of Chicago Gaelic Park, John Griffin, (old) and the publisher of Irish American News, Cliff Carlson, (older) immediately accepted the challenge.
That same day, and probably due to the heat, McCormick Place executive Skinny Sheahan, Ed Galvin of First Data, Irish Vice Consul General Tim Reilly, and Joe McKittrick of US Bank, have thrown their sporans in the ring! Add the popular Paul O'Rielly of Murphy's Beer to the mix now too!
The event is to celebrate and educate the public on Celtic music and culture from the 7 Celtic Nations. Those Nations are Ireland; Scotland; Isle of Man; Cornwall; Wales; Galicia, Spain; and Brittany, France. We are in the process of finalizing the requirements of the City of Chicago and there appears to be no impediments to its being approved by the Mayors' Office of Special Events.
A 3K (1.86 mile) run, walk, jog, etc not a competitive race. It will be a C.A.R.A. (Chicago Area Runners Association) emerging race. The event will pick a sponsoring charity or fund that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to, every year this charity/fund will change and will be community based.
The Charitable organization for 2010 will be the Chicago Police Chaplin's Ministry.
The registration fee of $25.00 includes entrance to a festival afterwards, and a kilt which is encouraged to be worn at the start of the event. The kilt will be able to be worn over the shorts or sweats of the runner.
We anticipate a strong turn out, and anticipate this event to be an annual event that will grow as participants spread the word.
This is a great opportunity to be a founding sponsor or participant.
Our web site http://www.chicagokiltrun.com will be up and running once we receive our approval/permits from the City of Chicago.
If you have any questions please call me at (773) 497-2856 or e-mail me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Mr. Neal Mcloughlin
Race Director
Chicago Kilt Run
