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Lucky races come to Las Cruces, ABQ ahead of St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t normally synonymous with physical fitness — unless chugging green beer is your activity of choice.
However, the Lucky in Las Cruces — and one day later, in Albuquerque — may be altering perceptions with an event that offers runners the choice of 5K, 10K and half-marathon races. And while Saturday, March 1, is a little more than two weeks before St. Patrick’s Day, the festivities could easily serve as something of a healthy appetizer to the Irish holiday.
“People dress up and we have themed finisher medals, themed bibs. The finish line is themed. Everything is kind of themed to St. Patrick’s Day,” said Lowell Starr, race director. “It’s just a fun event. We have music playing. It’s kind of the same reason people would go out for a night on the town. Except this is in the morning, and this one won’t have alcohol.”
The race debuted in Las Cruces last year and is run by Five Star NTP, a Georgia-based company that helps to organize and hold races all over the country. According to Starr, Five Star NTP will have overseen between six and 10 races in New Mexico from January through early March alone. The organization’s targeted destination usually depends on the time of year, and New Mexico is ideal during the winter due to its relatively mild climate. Although, Starr said, chilly conditions don’t deter the diehards.
“Temperature is not necessarily a determining factor as to whether or not people will show up,” Starr said. “We did a race in Colorado Springs. It was, like, 10 degrees outside, and there’s several inches of snow on the ground. And we have 200-some odd people come out (to run).”
The Lucky 5K/10K/Half-Marathon in Las Cruces is expected to attract more than 100 people for its second iteration. Starr said the majority — about 70% — will gravitate toward the 5K, and the rest of the participants will be spread out between the other two races. Proceeds from the race go to charity, and Five Star NTP typically looks to partner with a local organization whenever possible. The course, which begins at La Llorona Park, is conducive for fast times, especially for the 5K and 10K. The Lucky race in the Duke City is also billed as a fast course.
“The (Las Cruces) course is great. It’s not a bad 5K, and it’s not a bad 10K — and it’s right along the river,” Starr said. “So it’s pancake flat. Super straightforward. Anybody who wants to come out and just really be fast or (run in) something without hills in it, this is a great course.”
The profile of the participants leans more toward recreational than competitive, and all finishers receive a medal and a T-shirt. Custom medals are also awarded for the top three overall finishers and top three in each age category
“We’ll get a handful of people that’ll come out and want to be really competitive,” Starr said. “I mean, everybody’s competitive, but if they don’t win something, they’re not stomping their feet and getting upset.”
While there won’t be the typical St. Patrick’s Day spirits on site, the atmosphere figures to be plenty festive.
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“We have aid stations along the way, so you don’t have to worry about being out there without water or anything like that,” Starr said. “We’ll be there cheering you out and calling your name when you come back from your race.”
