SLIDESHOW: Hundreds of runners race Snoqualmie in St. Patty's run

SLIDESHOW: Hundreds of runners race Snoqualmie in St. Patty’s run

The last big push up Snoqualmie Parkway is always a killer. So says Sommer Reynolds of Snoqualmie, the first-place woman's finisher in the Finaghty's St. Patty's Day 5K run, held Saturday, March 12, on Snoqualmie Ridge.

March 17, 2011 1:41 pm

The last big push up Snoqualmie Parkway is always a killer.

So says Sommer Reynolds of Snoqualmie, the first-place woman’s finisher in the Finaghty’s St. Patty’s Day 5K run, held Saturday, March 12, on Snoqualmie Ridge.

Reynolds, sister to race organizer Sean Sundwall, takes part in most of her brother’s races, which include a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on the Ridge, a Cinco De Mayo 5K and a Railroad Days run in the summer. She knows from experience that most of those races are flatter and more forgiving.

But the St. Patty’s Day run, which drew nearly a thousand runners and many spectators, plenty dressed in Irish green, even down to fake ginger beards, is more demanding.

“To see that hill is torture,” Reynolds said. Still, she loves how the race climaxes on a Center Street downhill. “The crowd really pushes you down through the finish line.”

Johnny Bywater, the top men’s finisher, sakd the race is tough but well-crafted.

“When you get tired, there’s a downhill right afterwards,” he said.

“I like the hills,” said first-place men’s finisher Jacob Smith, 17, of Wenatchee. “They break it up.”

The third annual St. Patty’s run started and ended in front of Finaghty’s Irish Pub. Saturday saw the largest turnout ever, with 264 children’s runners and 690 5K runners. More than 70 volunteers set it up, and sponsors help, including Finaghty’s, Kirby Nelson Orthodontics, Mix It Up!, Steve’s Doughnuts, Ridge Fitness, Peak Sports and Spine, FootZone, Snoqualmie Ridge Chiro, Snoqualmie Ridge IGA, TPC Snoqualmie Ridge and Sno-Falls Credit Union.

Sundwall invites runners to take part in the second annual Cinco de Mayo Half Marathon and 8k on Saturday, May 7.

Learn more at www.runsnoqualmie.com.

Top 10 men’s runners included

1. Jacob Smith, 15:56

2. Jeff Rixe, 16:50

3. Bryce Hill, 16:58

4. Pete Hanson, 17:16

5. Spencer Riley, 17:40

6. Logan Orndorf , 17:42

7. Johnny Bywater, 17:53

8. Jeremy Rene, 18:07

9. Brian Comer, 18:08