Seattle, also known as the Emerald City, is one of the top destinations for travelers headed to the West Coast. Visitors will fall in love with a combination of lush natural surroundings and big city attractions. Seattle is ideal for any season, with visitors able to enjoy everything from world-class cuisine to large-scale athletic events.
The F5 St. Patrick's Day Dash has been a major part of The Emerald City's St. Patrick’s Day festivities for over three decades. It will take place on March 12 and event organizers expect around 10,000 participants. The Dash is a family-friendly run/walk experience complete with timed and untimed runs, activities, and more. It will begin downtown at the Seattle Center, make a loop through the city, and after five kilometers, it ends where it began.
Attendees will find an assortment of activities at The Dash. It all kicks off with a 1K Dash for Kids under 10 years of age. The festival's main event, a timed run, is next on the schedule. It starts in four waves (Green and Red Timed, Purple and Yellow Untimed) and spreads the St. Patrick's celebration all over the city. After completion of the time race, an untimed run follows on the same course. After the races, the Northwest Junior Pipe Band will perform for the crowd, and families will begin to shift over to the Seattle Children’s Museum for the Leprechaun Lair. The Lair is a family fun area full of games, activities, and entertainment for all ages. Last on the list of activities is the Post Dash Bash on Fisher Green and Beer Garden in Fisher Pavilion. Attendees will get to sample Irish food and beer, listen to Irish music, and participate in a large Irish costume contest.
Seattle is home to a variety of world-class accommodations, and many are in close proximity to the event. The Dash has partnered up with two great lodging providers this year: Marqueen Hotel and Inn at Queen Anne. Each is offering a deal for the event; follow the links to find out more.
Over the last three decades, the event has made a large impression on the community and helped to bolster the economy during a typically slow time of the year. It helps local business by attracting thousands of people into Seattle, who spend money all over the city at restaurants, shops, hotels, gas stations, and more. The runners and their vibrant Irish-themed costumes help to spread St. Patrick's Day cheer and happiness throughout the city as they run the course.
The event benefits the Detlef Schrempf Foundation, which in turn supports children's charities and youth organizations throughout the Northwest. To date, the foundation has donated more than a million dollars to its partners.
For more information about the F5 St. Patrick's Day Dash, please visit the event website.