About the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade 5k
This race literally starts a parade. The course runs along the parade route through town on flat roads, so there is a festive crowd out early and the surroundings feel more like a neighborhood celebration than a typical morning 5k. After finishing, runners head into the main festival tent, where there is live music, traditional Irish dancing, and bagpipers performing.
Parking in town is very limited on race day because of the parade. The organizers run shuttle buses from the Metra station to the start line, and packet pickup also happens at the station that morning. Early pickup is available the evening before at a local fitness center. After the race, buses from a nearby school return runners to the lot.