Sat, Mar 13, 2027

Catch A Leprechaun 5K

Essex, CT

Opens Jan 4, 2027Annual since at least 2018

Entry is $33 now and rises to $38 after Mar 8, 2027, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Catch A Leprechaun 5K

The course winds through the streets of Essex, starting near the police department and library, then looping out through residential neighborhoods before coming back down toward the town green. There is a stretch through a park at the end, past a playground, finishing near the tennis courts by Town Hall.

Parking is spread across several spots around town: the church on Methodist Hill, the lot behind Sunset Pond, the former commuter lot near the fire station, Hubbard Field, and the post office lot behind Main Street. Registration is online only, including race day, so handle that before you arrive.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K · 2026 results

183finishers

20:26winner

31:53median

53:58cutoff

Top 3: Matthew Mariano (20:26) · OLIVER PROCTOR (20:26) · Will Martin (20:46)

The Catch A Leprechaun 5K has been held every year since at least 2018. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K3/13/2027 10:00$33

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Essex — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the Catch A Leprechaun 5K

Will I finish last at the Catch A Leprechaun 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 31:53, and the last recorded finisher came in around 53:58, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Catch A Leprechaun 5K a good first 5K?

It is a small race (183 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Catch A Leprechaun 5K?

The 5K winner ran 20:26 while the median finisher took 31:53. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.