Tammy Sellek cheers before the start of the annual Irish Jig 5k race. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Maya Guikema, 13, runs during the Irish Jig 5k race. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
3,500 runners raced in the 2019 Spectrum Health Irish Jig. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
The 36th annual event, held near St. Patrick's Day, each year promotes awareness about colorectal cancer and raises funds to support medical services. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"The event was awesome," race director Kelsey Haynes said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Heather Lepper sports a bright green mohawk wig after running the Irish Jig. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Two girls race each other to the finish line. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"We had great participation. A lot of people came out for the race and supported colorectal cancer prevention, treatment and diagnostic services," Haynes said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
This year's participants numbered 3,475 and included 57 who signed up to run as cancer survivors. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
The weather was a chilly 30 degrees as the runners set off for the 5K race. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Joelyn Harkema hugs her daughter after finishing the race. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
A participant waves before the start of the Irish Jig. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Participants wore leprechaun hats, shamrock glasses, fluffy green skirts and colorful socks. Some, like Steven Busboom, even wore full body suits. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"It was cold, but we had sunshine and dry pavement," Haynes said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Tammy Sellek put her arms up in the air to celebrate finishing the race. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
The streets of East Grand became a blur of green Saturday morning as nearly 3,500 runners raced in the 2019 Spectrum Health Irish Jig.
The weather was a chilly 30 degrees as the runners set off for the 5K race, wearing leprechaun hats, shamrock glasses, fluffy green skirts and colorful socks.
The 36th annual event, held near St. Patrick’s Day, each year promotes awareness about colorectal cancer and raises funds to support medical services.
“The event was awesome,” race director Kelsey Haynes said. “It was cold, but we had sunshine and dry pavement.
“We had great participation. A lot of people came out for the race and supported colorectal cancer prevention, treatment and diagnostic services.”
This year’s participants numbered 3,475 and included 57 who signed up to run as cancer survivors.
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