St. Paddy’s Day Race brings festivities to Anaconda ahead of Irish holiday

The early morning rain gave way to sunshine as racers gathered outside of Anaconda’s Ancient Order of Hibernians Saturday morning.

The conditions teased the prospect of a rainbow, but gave way to wind and blowing snow by the time racers made it back to the finish line. After all, it’s not St. Patrick’s Day yet.

While the search for a pot of gold may have to wait, the annual St. Paddy’s Day Race was just one of the festivities held over the weekend as Butte and Anaconda ushered in the holiday.

Participants exhibited rainbow socks, four-leaf clover headbands, kilts and the color green on everything from the hats on their heads down to their running shoes. The dogs did not miss the memo.

The event included 3-mile and 6-mile races and had over 500 participants sign up.

Monetary donations and nonperishable items were being accepted for the Anaconda Food Bank.

Les Holland walks with his dog Willow, dressed in her St. Patrick’s Day attire, before the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard
Heather Woods holds up a bubble wand letting the wind make bubbles in the blowing snow during the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda on Saturday. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard
Ed Jones, of the the Anaconda AOH Pipes and Drum Corps, plays the bagpipes at the start of the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard
Nevaeha Cook adjusts her leprechaun hat headband before the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda on March 14. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard
Justin Mentzer points at friends as he approaches the finish line during the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard
Ryan Turner helps his son Calvin, 5, get his sign facing the right direction as they wait to cheer on Calvin’s mom, Turner’s wife, at the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda on Saturday. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard
A runner in green shoes runs during the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda on March 14. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard
David Mobley and Callie Weinert run the final stretch during the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda on Saturday. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard
Runners lineup for the St. Paddy’s Day Race in Anaconda on March 14. / MEGAN NIELSEN, Montana Standard