Celebrate St Patrick's Day and try to Catch A Leprechaun in support of the Region 4 Education Foundation. The race route follows a 5K course around the town of Essex Registration & Race Schedule Registration is available on-line only , even on race day, Race day check in opens 8:30 am 5K Start - 10:00 am Entry Fees Advance registration - $33 before March 10, thereafter $38 Region 4 students and staff - $18 before March 10, thereafter $23 Note: Entry fees include on-line processing fee. Custom Short Sleeve T-Shirts provided to registrations received before February 10, 2026. Thereafter, race shirts will be subject to availability on race day. Awards First male / female overall winners Top three male / female in age groups: 12 and Under 13-18 19-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+
5K: Long sleeved race shirt
| Distance | Price | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | $33.00 | Jan 4 | Mar 8 |
| $38.00 | Mar 9 | Mar 13 |
This year we do not have access to the same off site parking lot from previous years of the Catch a Leprechaun Race. Please park at one of the following parking lots for the race this year after the lot at Essex Town Hall fills up. First Congregational Church of Essex, 6 Methodist Hill, Essex, CT 06426 Sunset Pond Parking (backside of the pond) 52 West Avenue, Essex, CT 06426 Former Commuter Lot, corner of Saybrook Road and West Avenue, adjacent to Essex Fire Station at 11 Saybrook Road, Essex,
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 183 | 31:53 | 20:26 |
| 2025 | 176 | 32:10 | 18:38 |
| 2024 | 165 | 32:14 | 19:20 |
| 2023 | 139 | 32:49 | 17:23 |
Interested in this race?