By: Jeff Meade

The big sign says: Finish. A welcome sight, no doubt, to runner Shauna Frye.

A new date and a new location brought good luck and good weather to the 2008 Fighting Irish 5K, sponsored by the Notre Dame alumni of Philadelphia.

More than 300 runners finished this year's 5K down on Forbidden Drive in the Valley Green area of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park last Saturday morning, and the alumni raised $21,000, for a total of $121,000 raised for St. Malachy's School in North Philadelphia over the six years of the race, according to race organizer Frank McGuire. 

Michael Kerrigan, 23, ran the course in 15:17, and Liz Haglund, 24, finished not far behind at 17:51, to win top honors. Runners up were Ryan Fennelly, 26, just 3 seconds behind the leader, and Kathryn Bowser, 22, at 19:07.

Full results here:

http://fightingirish5k.com/08%20fighting%20irish%20res.pdf

New pastor, Rev. Kevin C. Lawrence, took over the reins from Father John McNamee, who recently retired. And even though Father Mac graciously took morning Mass so Father Lawrence could be at the race, both were present at the finish, along with a delegation of St. Malachy students.

Providing the soundtrack for the morning was the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band.

In previous years, the race was scheduled for mid-March, for the obvious St. Patrick's Day tie-in,  at Chestnut Hill Academy. Last year, bitter cold caused a cancellation.

This year's weather was brighter, sunnier, and a lot less cold.

We have the pics, and a bit of video.

• View photo essay.
• View as slideshow.

Links