A little luck of the Irish and a lot of community spirit filled the air on Saturday, March 14, as the fifth annual Eufaula Green Run 5K brought runners, families and plenty of green to the Cove.

Hosted by the Lake Eufaula Association, the St. Patrick’s Day-themed event kicked off at 9 a.m. at the Cove Pavilion, where participants gathered for a morning of racing and celebration along the lakeshore course. Jaxson Osburn led the field with a winning time of 18:29. Thomas Yahola followed in 18:42, while Pippin Gormley paced the women’s field with a strong third-place finish overall in 22:19. Kyler Carey (24:21) and A. Elkins (24:58) rounded out the top five.

But the Green Run delivered more than just fast times, it delivered fun times as well.

Fur babies and their humans joined in on the shenanigans, as the event featured a best costume contest, group costume competition and a crowd-favorite pet costume contest. A live DJ kept the energy high while local vendors and food trucks added to the fun, making the Cove a hub of activity throughout the morning.

From chair massages by Montgomery Massage to pullup and stationary bike challenges by Box Strong there were lots of fun activities to enjoy. Some brave souls like Cole Montgomery even took the ice bath challenge on this rather cool and windy day.

Four-legged participants were a highlight of the day, with many joining their owners on the course or showing off their St. Patrick’s Day style. Top pet costume winners included Pebbles, corgi mix, in first place, Tabi, a Shiba Inu, in second and the dachshund duo, Nona and Harold, in third. Pebbles stole the show with her little leprechaun rider bouncing on her back. Tabi was too cute in her lucky green dress and Nona and Harold couldn’t be missed in their handmade handkerchiefs as they took long strides with their wee little legs to run the race with their companions.

From runners chasing personal bests to families enjoying the fun run and festivities, the event offered something for everyone.

With strong sponsor support, growing participation and a setting that showcases Lake Eufaula at its best, the Green Run continues to build momentum as one of the community’s most anticipated spring ‘green’ traditions.