Irish American Club 10K and 5K Road Races running for the 45th year on Labor Day Monday

By Steve Freker

Close to 300 runners are expected to be competing on Monday in the 45th Annual Irish American Road Races, a traditional Labor Day staple in Malden since 1978. The Malden Irish American Club will once again be raising money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in sponsoring the annual 5K and 10K road races. The traditional course winds through Malden’s Edgeworth neighborhood, right along parts of the Malden-Medford city line. This is a “Can’t Miss” event for many Malden residents – present and past – as many Malden and area “VIPs” and other “celebrities” usually participate in this event, including Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, an avid running enthusiast, who is in the double-digits in his personal participation as an IA Road Race runner.

This has always been basically a Malden event, with a “good dose of Medford” in it, as Medford residents customarily run the races and/or take part in the post-race activities and entertainment at the IA Club. Many Medford residents are IA members as well. Popular former Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn has been a frequent attendee at the event, every year when he was in office in the 1990s and 2000s, as well as most years since he has been retired from public service.

Medallions are awarded for 1st & 2nd place finishers (both male and female) in both the 5K & 10K races in the following age categories: 17 & under, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & over. The entry fee is $40 and includes a free T-shirt. Music, entertainment, food and a variety of post-race refreshments, including hot dogs, burgers, water, soda and beer, are available for runners and race fans alike at the Irish American Club (177 West St., Malden).

Some of the many sponsors are Doherty-Keane Construction, O’Brien Construction & Remodeling, Brandano Plumbing, Stop & Shop and Anheuser-Busch. Race organizers encourage all to “Come on down to the ‘IA’ and meet up with old acquaintances and also make some new friends!”

Check-in and assigning of race bibs begins at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, September 4, Labor Day. Both the 10K and 5K races begin at 10:00 a.m. sharp.

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Register for the IA Road Race online

Runners should register for the races at https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Malden/IrishAmericanq510kRoadRace to guarantee a spot in the race.