By Andrew
Firestone           

A flooded Davis Square was host to
the 8^th Annual Ras na hEireann 5K extravaganza, celebrating Saint
Patrick’s Day traditionally with free beer for every runner and walker after
they complete a community stroll with a few thousand of their fellow revelers.
This year, however, provided a unique obstacle as runners young and old in the
race were forced to confront weather fit for neither man nor beast as Somerville
faced the second straight day of torrential downpours. Despite the challenging
conditions, the race drew out over 3300 participants, many wearing plastic bags
over their St. Patrick’s Day costumes.

The Ras na hEireann is a staple of
Somerville and famous for its ties to the Emerald Isle. The race is sister to
the Ras na hEireann 5K in Termonfechin, County Louth. Before this year, records
in both the men and women categories were held by an Irishperson. The “liquid
sunshine,” as the Irish refer to their often tepid weather, drew even more
similarities between the two events. “It was just like running in the old
country,” recalled Dubliner Barry Woods, currently expatriating in Southie, “a
nice, good day.”

Many racers who turned out were not
so enthused about the prospects of running in the storm. “It would have been a
great day to sleep in,” said Bridget McDonagh of Union Square. “It was hard
getting out of bed today.” Before the race, many tried their best to hide under
any overhang they could find, or huddled in the various coffee shops and
bars.  ‚ÄúI‚Äôm going to get frostbite and
the flu!” exclaimed racer Eric Dowling as he prepared himself under an office
building entryway.

The race itself was short and
intense. While conditions did not permit winner Andrea Sorgato to beat the
record of 14:19 for the course (he ran 15:36), Molly Huddle of Providence,
Rhode Island managed to beat the old record, held by Irishwoman Maria
McCambridge, by a full seven seconds, winning the woman’s race with a time of
15:59.

After the race, the beleaguered
runners walked to the bars, where they enjoyed free pints supplied by Harpoon
IPA. There, they shared stories of the trials and tribulations they had
endured. ‚ÄúEven more fun than I was imagining,‚Äù said Adam Goldstein,  ‚ÄúEveryone was very supportive, cheering me
on.” Others, such as Will Krzewick, called running the race “the worst decision
I’ve ever made.” Describing the jaunt, he muttered that “it seemed like it was
raining sideways, sometimes it felt like in was raining up in my face. Then I
felt something bite me,” recalled Krzewick, “I looked down, but it was due to
me not stretching.”

Another hardcore athlete spending his Sundays sloshing
through Somerville was the Mayor of Melrose, Robert Dolan, who together with
his running club, the Melrose Boot Camp, set out on the morning campaign. Dolan
took the race in stride, relating that the run "was brutal, but at least
the air wasn't that cold. By the end of it, I thought I was running in a wet
suit."

Most agreed that afterwards, the
best course of action to be made was “to drink excessively with friends,” as
Goldstein said. And that was precisely what many of them did.

All the Taverns on Elm Street and
up and down the square filled to capacity after the race and patrons spent the afternoon
listening to traditional Irish bands and drinking Guinness and Harpoon IPA. At
The Burren, the racers listened to the tunes of the Johnny Come Latelies, some
jigging. However, when the top five winners were announced, and told to come
forward to receive their money prize, only Michael Cummings, who placed 5^th,
had stuck around. The rest had gone home to presumably dry off.

President of the Somerville Board of Aldermen Jack
Connolly called the event "a huge success" despite the number of
runners who chose not to make it out. Despite the relatively large turnout,
around 1600 runners of the 5000 who registered did not run. "Virtually
every pub in the city is busy all afternoon," he said, highlighting the
windfall for the local economy. Connolly especially seemed proud of the many
volunteers who braved the chilly rain, calling their sacrifice "a tough
job" when compared to running the race. "The runners don't really get
cold, because they're moving so much." Of his own time, 27 minutes and
change, which he called "not bad for [age] 59," "Remember,"
he added, "The job is to finish."

But Pat Carroll, who had made it a
point to come all the way from Ireland, wasn’t exhausted yet. While declaring
himself “knackered,” he said the tempest didn’t bother him. “I’m Irish, I’m
mad. Hail, rain or snow, I will run in shorts and singlet only.”