Wild Irish Run

The Wild Irish Run, held on March 14, 2026, will mark its 48th Anniversary.

 In 1979, “The Wild Irish Run” was called the Lake Guntersville 10,000 hosted by the Lake Guntersville Track Club. This course became sanctioned in 1980 by the Road Runners Club of America and added .2 miles to be an official 10K course. In 1984, the race was held on Saint Patrick’s Day and subtitled the “1984 Saint Patrick’s Wild Irish Run”; and the “Wild Irish Run” name stuck.

This race has earned the reputation of being one of the oldest 10K races in Alabama and has been chosen as an Alabama TopTen Event in past years. This all-paved fast course with small rolling hills takes you through downtown Guntersville and a scenic tour along beautiful Lake Guntersville (USATF certified course # AL12015JD).

Within the last 10 years, due to the popularity to the shorter runs, we implemented and had certified a 5K course into our Wild Irish Run event. Our 5K course is an all-paved surface that takes you through a scenic trail along Lake Guntersville (USATF certified course # AL19009JE).

The Wild Irish Run is now hosted by the City of Guntersville Recreation Department and is held on the Saturday of or the closest Saturday before Saint Patrick’s Day. 

The top three overall female and male finishers will win the Wild Irish Run trophy and medal.

Age division medals will be awarded to the top three female and male finishers. T-shirts and other goodies will be provided in your race packet.

The race is headquartered at the City of Guntersville Recreation Center located at 1500 Sunset Drive. More info at 256-571-7590.

Packet pick-up will be held at the recreation center on Friday, March 13, 2026 from 3:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. and again on race day, March 14, 2026 from 5:00a.m. – 6:30a.m.

The 10K race starts at 7:00a.m. sharp with the 5K race starting at/around 7:05a.m.