Leprechaun Lope is a success despite the cold

Intermountain Catholic

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Fernando Ramirez finished the Leprechaun Lope first in 16:54.

SALT LAKE CITY — It was 31 degrees and overcast as runners and walkers lined up at the Southeast corner of the State Capitol to start the 17th Annual Leprechaun Lope 5K race and one-mile health walk March 11. The finish line was in Memory Grove.

Our Lady of Lourdes School, Salt Lake City, sponsored the race, and proceeds will benefit their tuition assistance program. Following tradition, participants, including dogs, dressed up in their green attire ready to attend the St. Patrick’s Day parade after the Lope.

Kate Maxwell-Stephens, a volunteer marshal, said the Lope is a wonderful way for the community to come together. Maxwell-Stephens’ son, Rick Estrada and his wife, Abby Vansice, were co-chairmen of the race and handled the logistics. There were 550 participants from as far away as Davis County, Draper, and Park City who helped raise $8,100 for the school.

Estrada said he became involved in the Lope after seeing how much fun it was in years past, and how much the race benefits the school. His daughter Gabby attends Our Lady of Lourdes School. Estrada said teachers, students, and the community at large come to support the school, and together with the hard work of the volunteers, make the race a success.

"There have been times we have raced in the rain and snow," said Estrada. "The only time they will cancel is if there is lightning.

Fernando Ramirez of Park City crossed the finished line first with a time of 16:54. He graduated from Park City High School where he ran track and field. He is Catholic and a junior at Salt Lake Community College. He was recently accepted to participate in the Pennsylvania State College Relay in April. His ultimate dream is to participate in the Summer Olympics.

Carre Joyce finished first in the women’s division with a time of 18:16. She teaches sixth grade language arts and physical education at St. John the Baptist Elementary School, Draper. She ran track for Villanova University, Pennsylvania.