Even before the grass is green, more than 200 runners will be seen traipsing through Old Town and running along the Portneuf Greenway just before St. Patrick's Day in green attire.

    Job's Daughter Bethel No. 1 is hosting the annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 10K running or walking fundraiser March 16 starting 10 a.m. at Brady Park and the Masonic Lodge at 535 N. Arthur. Proceeds will benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children.

    Race Director Bill Skerjanc said this is the fourth annual Shamrock Shuffle, which is hosted the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, and it is among the first of the area's bi-pedal events in the spring prior to the start of the city's fun run series.

    If runners don't find a pot of gold at the end of the race they may walk away with a good enough time to compete in some of the country's marathons, or a sense of accomplishment.

    Being an early race and mild terrain, runners have a chance to get a decent qualifying time coming out of winter. Skerjanc said some runners seek placement in notable marathons in St. George, Utah, New York City and Boston. He anticipates close to 300 participants this year.

    "They kind of want to test their fitness (after) winter," he said. "It's not too hard of a race. It's a nice beginning race. We have a lot of walkers, who like to walk the greenbelt."

    Skerjanc said the majority of participants are runners from the East Idaho area while some come from farther away. On Friday, a handful of people from Alaska had registered and about 75 percent of those registered were women. Skerjanc said more men typically register closer to the event. This year, a kids 5K run was added for children 12 and under. Vector Timing willing be using clip timers this year.

    Skerjanc said the course also draws a number of novice competitors looking dust the cobwebs of winter or try something new.

    "This is the first race of the region, so a lot of the runners want to see how good of shape they are in," he said.

    Cost is $25 per runner and $15 for a child 12 and under. Last year, Job's Daughter Bethel No. 1 donated about $2,000 to Shriners Children's Hospital.

    "These girls, they help out a lot," he said. "They are a group of young girls from age 10-21, mostly volunteer, take the registration. They do about everything."

    Runners and walkers can register online at active.com by midnight on March 15. People can register the day of the event starting at 8 a.m. The races start at 10 a.m.

    The 5K course runs through Old Town Pocatello and the 10K reaches south to Juniper Golf Course. Skerjanc said the Masonic Lodge will be open to the public for tours and utilized for the door prizes and awards.

    As per a suggestion last year, this year's T-shirts are neon green. Skerjanc said the color is vibrant and doubles as a "safety shirt" for runners seeking to utilize the shirt for training and to be seen on the road.

    The color also fits well with holiday.

    "We kind of encourage people to dress in green with the St. Patty's theme. It's kind of fun to watch them run out," he said.

    For more information about the Shamrock Shuffle, visit www.active.com, or e-mail Skerjanc at bskerjanc@cableone.net.