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Runners to flee from leprechaun in St. Patrick's Day race in Gainesville
Participants encouraged to wear green for Friday night in downtown March 17
GO-LEPRECHAUN

Clad in green attire, a leprechaun will chase down runners Friday night in downtown Gainesville to mark St. Patrick’s Day.

The Lepre Con will be from 6-10 p.m. March 17 with registration beginning at 6 p.m. on the pedestrian bridge between CVS and Ramada Inn off Jesse Jewell Parkway. Registration is free and goodies such as necklaces, noisemakers and bracelets will be provided.

The race will start at 7 p.m. with the course crossing the bridge, leaping through Roosevelt square, looping around the square and finishing through a rainbow arch at Spring and Bradford streets.

Runners, who are encouraged to dress in their best St. Patrick’s Day attire, may try to outrun the leprechaun jogging along the course or stroll the almost 1-kilometer course.

After the race, prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Registration numbers will be drawn for $400 in prizes.

Following the drawings, the PAK will play 1980s and dance music at 8 p.m. Free green popcorn and kiddie tattoos will be distributed. Corn hole and face painting also will be available.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Historic.Downtown.Gainesville.