Keep safe while out on the run

Talk about it

It’s that time of the year when an estimated 2,000 revelers will take to the streets of Jamestown for what could be the largest pub crawl in city history.

We have only one piece of advice for those partaking or watching: be safe.

Such an influx of people means downtown travel today will be some of the most difficult of the year, especially in the afternoon.

With more than 2,000 people expected to trek more than 3 miles through Jamestown, while stopping at nine pubs, things have the potential to get dangerous.

Jamestown’s own leprechaun and Runnin O’ the Green founder and organizer Larry Knoblich urged runners not to drink alcohol at each stop. Soda or water are acceptable substitutes.

“We understand the problems with binge drinking,” Knoblich said. “We discourage binging, because you can have a lot of fun without destroying your brain tissue.”

The Runnin O’ the Green is a fun-run for charity, but a plethora of intoxicated individuals will be making their way through Jamestown in the process.

To those partaking in alcohol, don’t drink and drive. There will be more than enough opportunities for rides home.

Local law enforcement said the throng donning green is generally well-behaved, sans a few assault calls later in the evening.

“We would ask (people), if they’re out driving around and sightseeing, to watch for people crossing streets, and know that a lot of these people aren’t sober,” said Jamestown Police Department Chief Scott Edinger.

Runners need to use caution when crossing the street and the same goes for drivers, who should be on the lookout.

Have fun and be safe this St. Patrick’s Day.

(Editorials are the opinion of Jamestown Sun management and the newspaper’s editorial board)

Tags: runnin o the green, opinion, editorials