​​The 8th Annual Mater Dei IrishFest 5K Fun Run and Walk is the best way to kick off your St. Patrick's Day festivities!  Come join us on Saturday, March 14th to see what it's all about!
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What does your March 14th look like? It begins by participating in one of the largest 5K's in Topeka! No matter if you run or walk, upon completing the race, you will have the rest of the day to spend at the Topeka IrishFest. There is no better way to celebrate finishing the race than trying some authentic Irish food, relaxing with a cold (or hot) drink, all while listening to live Irish music. 

For our young leprechauns, there is also a race for them! Right before the 5K there is a Leprechaun Leap, where the fastest leprechauns chase a real-life leprechaun for some gold. Have a picky leprechaun? There is a regular concession line with all of your favorites. Once the leprechauns are refueled, send them off to the kid's zone for a variety of fun activities!

Couch to IF 5k

It is recommended to properly warm up before physical activity, a brisk walk of 5 minutes to increase blood flow and raise the heart rate is sufficient for the following plan.
Where the plan states x2, complete that series twice.
Jan 5 - Week 1
Run 1 min, Walk 1.5 min
Repeat for a total of 20 min
Run 1 min, Walk 1.5 min
Repeat for a total of 20 min
Run 1 min, Walk 1 min
Repeat for a total of 20 min
Jan 12 - Week 2
Run 1.5 min, Walk 2 min
Repeat for a total of 20 min
Run 1.5 min, Walk 2 min
Repeat for a total of 20 min
Run 2 min, Walk 2 min
Repeat for a total of 20 min
Jan 19 - Week 3
Run 1.5 min, Walk 1.5 min x2
Run 3 min, Walk 3 min
 Run 1.5 min, Walk 1.5 min x2
Run 3 min, Walk 3 min
Run 1.5 min, Walk 1.5 min x2
Run 3 min, Walk 3 min x2
Jan 26 - Week 4
Run 3 min, Walk 1.5 min
Run 5 min, walk 2.5 min
Run 3 min, Walk 1.5 min
Run 5 min
Run 3 min, Walk 1.5 min
Run 5 min, walk 2.5 min
Run 3 min, Walk 1.5 min
Run 5 min
Run 5 min, Walk 2.5 min x2
Run 5 min
Feb 2 - Week 5
Run 5 min, walk 3 min x2
Run 5 min
Run 8 min, Walk 5 min
Run 8 min
Run 20 min
Feb 9 - Week 6
Run 5 min, Walk 3 min
Run 8 min, Walk 3 min
Run 5 min
Run 10 min, Walk 3 min
Run 10 min
Run 25 min
Feb 16 - Week 7
Run 12 min, Walk 3 min
Run 12 min
Run 20 min
Run 30 min
Feb 23 - Week 8
Run 20 min
Run 10 min, Walk 3 min
Run 10 min
Run 35 min
March 1 - Week 9
Run 12 min, Walk 3 min
Run 12 min
Run 20 min
Run 25 min
March 8 - Week 10
Run 20 min
Run 10 min, Walk 3 min
Run 10 min
Irishfest 5k
Race Day
The above plan is adopted from the NHS.uk website.  IF5k members and NHS.uk cannot be held liable for discomfort, injuries, or medical issues that could result from beginning a physical activity.  Please visit with your physician before beginning any exercise program.

​​If you would like to view results from years past, visit the Race/Results page.

You can view photos from this year and years past below.