Shamrock Run, Kells Irish Pub Announce New Partnership for Portland

January 17, 2023

Two of Portland's largest springtime events to join forces for the Pacific Northwest's biggest St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

PORTLAND, Ore. – January 17, 2023 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Two of Portland’s favorite St. Patrick’s Day traditions are joining forces, as the Shamrock Run Portland and Kells Irish Pub & Brewery today announced a partnership for a bigger and better Irish Festival in 2023.

The new collaboration between two of downtown Portland’s premier special events will create a finish line celebration unlike any other for the 45^th anniversary of the themed running festival, set for Sunday, March 12, 2023.

One of the largest races in the Pacific Northwest, the Shamrock Run annually attracts more than 20,000 runners, walkers and supporters for the half-marathon, 15k, 8k, 5k and the Shamrock Stride, a 4-mile walk that takes participants over the Willamette River via the scenic Tilikum Crossing.

“At Kells, we’ve long been fans of the Shamrock Run and the race’s impact on downtown Portland,” said Gerard McAleese, owner and operator of Kells. “With our annual Irish Festival overlapping during the week of St. Patrick’s Day, it just made sense to figure out a way to partner and create a bigger impact for the city and for charity. We couldn’t be more delighted to make it official, and we look forward to co-hosting the city’s biggest, greenest celebration yet.”

The annual Kells Irish Festival is renowned as the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Oregon, attracting celebrants from near and far to revel together.

The 2023 Irish Festival will kick off at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Friday, March 10th with the Kells Ireland vs. USA boxing event, festivities on Saturday March 11th will include Irish dancing, live music, bagpipes, and Irish food and beverages, and then the Shamrock Run event on Sunday March 12th, all at the Waterfront.

The Irish Festival will continue the following weekend, March 17 through 19, with dancers, music and pipes at Kells’ two Portland locations: the original Kells Irish Pub downtown, and Kells Brewery in Northwest Portland. Both locations will offer food and drink specials, featuring beer from Kells Brewery.

“Last year, returning as one of the first big events back in Portland coming out of the pandemic was incredible,” said Alex Jee, community engagement manager for the Shamrock Run. “We’ve got a lot of participants, city officials, sponsors and community supporters who stuck with us to thank – those who have made the success of the event possible each and every year– and we’re looking forward to partnering with Kells to make the 45^th edition of the race one of the record books.”

The Shamrock Run is known as “Opening Day of Running Season in Portland,” showcasing kilts, bagpipes and miles of course entertainment along Portland’s scenic downtown waterfront. For kids 10 and under, the “Leprechaun Lap” is a 1k untimed fun run, and all participants receive superhero capes.

All of Shamrock’s race courses start in Waterfront Park along Naito Parkway and run through the center of downtown Portland. Participants enjoy the soothing rhythm of bagpipes, experience views of Portland’s landmark bridges and thousands of spectators cheering along the route; the atmosphere provides an incredible experience for participants of any level. The event culminates with one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parties on the West Coast, featuring a tented beer garden, live music and hot oatmeal from Bob’s Red Mill for all participants.

For more information on the Shamrock Run, or to register for Portland’s premier running event, please visit ShamrockRunPortland.com and follow @ShamrockPDX on Twitter. For more information about Kells, visit KellsIrish.com.

About Shamrock Run Portland

Founded in 1979, the Shamrock Run Portland is the largest running and walking event in Oregon and will celebrate the 41st edition on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The Shamrock Run offers competitive races at variety of distances from 5k to a half-marathon, as well as the “Shamrock Stride” fitness walk and “Leprechaun Lap” kids race. Event weekend culminates with a finish line festival at Waterfront Park, including a tented beer garden, complimentary Oatmeal and an entertainment stage with performances from local musicians. Race weekend kicks-off with the Shamrock Run Fitness Fair at the Oregon Convention Center on March 10 and 11 where participants pick up their race number. The primary beneficiary of the event is Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation, which has been affiliated with Shamrock for the past 25 years. For more information or to register, visit ShamrockRunPortland.com or follow @ShamrockPDX on Twitter.

About Kells

Serving the Northwest since 1983, Kells Irish Restaurant is a local family-run establishment that is consistently voted and ranked among the top Irish pubs in the United States. With locations in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, it is a touchstone of each community that stays true to its roots. Owners Gerard and Lucille McAleese are also recognized for their generosity to a number of nonprofits and community organizations. For more information, visit www.kellsirish.com.

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