Runners kick off St. Patty's Day early

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A record setting 5,600 people ran in the 35th Annual Shamrock Run Saturday afternoon giving runners a head start in celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

The event raised over $40,000 that will go towards the Old First Ward Community Association that help funds the after school activities, athletics, and community development.

Weather conditions were cold, but bearable, unlike last year's high winds.

Director of the Old First Ward Community Association Laura Kelly said, "Last year we had 70 mph gusts. There was no beer tent; there was no tent of any kind. The year before it rained and snowed and blew all at the same time. In those 35 years, there is only one year that the run did not run as scheduled and even then they only postponed it a week."

The male winner of the race attends Edinboro University in Pennsylvania and the female winner was a local runner from Hamburg.

Runner Bryan Baumgartner said, You kind of just have to man up and do it. There is a million reasons to not get out the door and run. It helps to have a good team around you because it makes it easier to get out there on those freezing cold days."

Following the 5 mile run was the beer tent participants could reward themselves with that also had corned beef available.

Along with the cold beer, corned beef, awards, and of course the run, are signs of Spring that's slowly on its way. Kelly said that's the tradition that brings people back each year and get's them excited for the new season, especially since all registered runners receive a Shamrock Run jacket who participate in the annual race.