Celtic Canter 5K & Irish Festival – CANCELLED
Westminster Cancels Celtic Canter Races, Downtown Irish Festival, and Pub Crawl
COVID-19 Concerns Cited
The City of Westminster has canceled the Celtic Canter Races, Downtown Irish Festival, and Pub Crawl scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 14, 2020. The City’s decision is in response to the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
In announcing this decision, Mayor Joe Dominick stated, “The cancellation of the Celtic Canter, Downtown Irish Festival, and Pub Crawl will be disappointing to many, which the City regrets. This was not a decision we made lightly, given the popularity of the event and the considerable efforts of our staff to organize it.”
Mayor Dominick continued, “There has not been a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the City or the greater Westminster community, so our risk remains relatively low. Having said this, experts have said that the best time to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus is now, before the first case arrives. Our decision to cancel the Celtic Canter Races and Downtown Irish Festival was guided by three goals: to protect the health of event participants and City staff; to help slow the spread of the virus in Carroll County and the State of Maryland; and, to avoid any action that might tax the resources of our local healthcare system. I thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”
There are no plans to reschedule the Celtic Canter races and Downtown Irish Festival. Those who registered for the Celtic Canter 5K, 1-Mile Leprechaun Chase, and 0.5K will receive a full refund of their registration fee. Registrants will receive their race shirts and packets, at a future date to be determined. Westminster Recreation and Parks Department staff will be in touch with race registrants after April 5, 2020 regarding a new pickup date.
# # #
Saturday, March 14, 2020
The Celtic Canter takes place in historic downtown Westminster, MD
The 5K Race begins at 9:00 AM, followed by the Leprechaun Chase, a 1-Mile Fun Run, held at 10:00 AM, for children 10 & under. After the race enjoy a post-race party, awards ceremony and Irish celebration complete with pub crawl, live music, vendors, and activities for children.
This Irish Celebration benefits local non profit organizations Access Carroll & Target Community & Educational Services.
REGISTER TO RUN
Registration for the Celtic Canter 5K is $32 when you register ONLINE/IN-PERSON (Family Fitness Center (11 Longwell Avenue, Westminster)) PRIOR TO Noon on 3/11/20.
Online registration will remain open until the event. Beginning 3/11 at 12:01PM race registration will increase to $37. You will also be able to register at Race Headquarters on 3/14 from 7:30 AM-race start for $37.
5K registration includes a long sleeve t-shirt and post race refreshment (Beer for 21+ or a bottled water).
EVENT DETAILS & SCHEDULE
The 10th Annual Celtic Canter and Irish Celebration, held on March 14, 2020, at 9 am.
Athletes may pick up their race packets at the Westminster Fitness Center, 11 Longwell Avenue, Westminster, on Thursday (3/12) and Friday (3/13) from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m and Saturday at Race Headquarters beginning at 7:30 a.m.
AWARDS
Male and Female/1st & 2nd place in the following age groups: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & over
Don’t forget to register your child(ren) (12 & under) for the Leprechaun Chase, a 1-Mile Fun Run, held at 10:00 a.m. following the Celtic Canter 5K. All children will receive a participation medal.
Don’t forget to register for the NEW! 0.5K (Don’t miss the point!), held at 11:00 a.m. following the Leprechaun Chase. All runners will receive a participation medal and long-sleeve t-shirt.
Your help is needed for the success of this year’s race!
Access Carroll is seeking VOLUNTEERS
16 years of age or older to serve as:
ROAD MARSHALS
Assist with traffic at the intersections along the race course under the direction/instruction of The City of Westminster. Volunteers should plan to meet in the gym inside the armory building at which time they will be greeted by a staff member and given their traffic post assignment, map, radios (if necessary) and event staff vest. Once all are present and assigned a post a police officer will conduct a briefing then all volunteers will disband to their assigned post. We will also need some road marshals for the children’s 1-mile fun run that begins at 10:00 AM.
We may also need some WATER STATION volunteers to assist preparing and handing out cups of water to the runners and walkers during the race and gathering the cups normally dropped by the participants.
Adult volunteers, please note that you can bring your children with you, and all can bring chairs if you wish!
