The Madison Shamrock Shuffle, one of the first major events happening this year in Madison, will raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County (BGCDC) Saturday, March 12, starting at 8 a.m. This annual event takes place on or around St. Patrick’s Day every year and brings together individuals and families to race or walk in downtown Madison.
“The Shamrock Shuffle is a timed 10k and 5k race. There’s also a 5K walk and a virtual option,” Amy Fenwick, marketing and communications manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, tells Madison365. “The money raised at this event goes directly back into our programming at our clubs serving our kids ages 2 and a half to 24. The funds we raise at this event are vital and go towards great programs and the youth and the families and the communities are all directly affected.”
The Madison Shamrock Shuffle route starts at the 600 block of State Street in downtown Madison and proceeds through the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and ends with the celebration back on State Street.
“It’s the first event of the year but, really, it’s going to be the first event since 2019 because everything has been on hold for so long. So it’s a pretty big deal and we’re really excited,” Fenwick says. “We’re going to have Maynard the Mallard coming from the Madison Mallards. The mayor [Satya Rhodes Conway] will be handing out awards and [Lt. Gov.] Mandela Barnes will be participating and before the race will come up and say a few words.”
Michael Johnson, president & CEO of BGCDC, will also say a few words before the Madison Shamrock Shuffle.
“We love this event! It is something that we look forward to each and every year,” Johnson says in a statement. “We are excited that this great tradition continues, and we can keep raising funds that are so crucial to the continuation and expansion of our programs for youth in our community. Funds raised support our afterschool programs like Career Launch which prepares young people to explore careers and set goals and our TOPS (Teens of Promise) College Success Program which provides additional support services for college students who were in AVID/TOPS.”
Participants will receive an exclusive Shamrock Shuffle Race Shirt, commemorative Shamrock Shuffle medal, and two free beers (at participating partner bars).
“A gentleman that dresses up as St. Patrick who has become a regular at this race will be there, too,” Fenwick says. “He goes around and blesses people and the race. We are encouraging everybody once again to dress up in St. Patrick’s Day attire – the crazier the better.”
Unfortunately, it looks like the race is going to miss the warmer weather that’s coming to Madison on Sunday by one day.
“Yes. We’ve seen that forecast,” Fenwick laughs. “We’re not going to let it get us down. We know we live in Wisconsin and people know how to dress. It just gives people more excuses to layer up the green and the craziness. We’re still very excited about it – whatever the weather is going to be like.”
Over the years, the Madison Shamrock Shuffle has raised over $400,000 for Club programs and activities.
“Our goal was to get 1,500 participants for this event and I believe we are close last time I checked. We’ve been told that the new trend is a lot of people signing up over the last couple of days so I do think we’ve had a big boost over the last couple of days,” Fenwick says.
There is still time to sign up for the 2012 Madison Shamrock Shuffle, by clicking here. Youths 16 and over and adults interested in volunteering, can register here.