Celtic Classic 5K…running with a kilt on.

In 1978 Van Hallen put out the sing running with the devil…this blog has nothing to do with that it was just a nice segway into the statement running with a kilt on. I know it was a cheap shot, but hey I take them were I can. When one thinks of the Irish does one think of them running? Well maybe one would think of the Scottish running like in the movie Braveheart, but as for the Irish I would see them running to the local pub, I can say this as I am Irish and I have run to the local pub a number of times so I am speaking from experience. Now Bethlehem PA has a big Irish Festival every year called the Celtic Classic and each year they do a 5K where the participants are encourage to run in kilts. And yes…yes  I did run in a kilt and it felt pretty darn good, lol.

Now I didn’t wear one of my good kilts, yes you read that correct one of my good kilts, and I got a utilikilt to run in which was actually rather nice. Now the race morning it was very cold out and it was really the first cold morning to signify the onset of fall weather with it being around 50 degrees. The nice thing was that the Morning Call Rotary Club, which promoted and managed the race event, supplied hot tea, coffee and hot chocolate. I did enjoy the fact that the dj played very little celtic music and ended up playing 80’s and 90’s hits, which was evident as I crossed the finish line to Chumbawamba’s I get knocked down, I haven’t heard that song I a long time.

The race started on time and was a few hundred runners strong. The race was a double race with a 5K and a 10K which would lead to some confusion after the two mile mark. As everyone lined up I wasn’t sure the exact course landscape, but I was soon to find out. We began running and the course started off nice on asphalt, which then turned to concrete, which then turned to gravel, which then turned to grass, which then turned into a wooden bridge, which turned back in to grass than asphalt and then back to gravel. A full gambit of course textures were definitely present during this race.

Now remember I said this was a double race of a 5K and 10K? Well immediately after the water station there was a small sign positioned that pointed the route for the 5K and the 10K split, however there wasn’t anyone there telling this to the runners. Can you begin to see the possible issue that may arise from this? If you guessed that some of the 10K runners ended following the 5K route and were pretty miffed at the end you would be absolutely correct.

At the end of the race I must say they had one of the best spreads I have gotten to be a part of. They bagels, crackers, crackers with cheese, bananas, packets of peanut butter, apples, oranges, water, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. I cant wait to do this one next year as I need to use my kilt again, but overall I met some nice people there and the race was well put together. You had the opportunity to stay and enjoy the Celtic classic events of the day, but I opted to head home and relax and rest.

Thanks and run safe,

JB