Fun runs are making their way back into the Tama-Toledo event calendar after the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined many community events over the past two years.

The Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce’s signature LepBARchaun Dash 5K returned to the streets of Tama last weekend after a year hiatus in 2021. The event drew a crowd of close to 100 runners and walkers that travelled a loop route that went past the golf course in Tama, wound around the STC High School campus and ended up back on W 3rd St. for more celebration of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday the Tama Pump bar and grill.

“The Chamber was very pleased with the turnout of the LepBARchaun Dash this year after a couple years of adjustments due to COVID,” Chamber Coordinator Marlys Upah said. “With almost 100 participants and a timely break in the weather, the event was a great way to bring community members to our downtown businesses.”

Upah and Chamber members Jill Kienzle, Jeff Niedermann and Nathan Doran worked closely to organize the event after the founding event chairs Shayna and Matt Zmolek stepped away following the 2020 LepBARchaun Dash.

South Tama’s Clayton Graff took the overall top spot with Kelsey Bro coming in as the top overall female finisher.

There were two awards given out for best outfit. Tiffany Kunkel won Best Dressed and Dot Kendall won for Most Green.

The following are the top three finishers in each of the race categories, listed in order of their finishing place:

Fastest Male (18+)

Clayton Graff

Jeremi Kopsa

Eric Rosario

Fastest Female (18+)

Kelsey Bro

Tracy Carey

Kate Breja

Fastest Male (11-17)

Cale Graff

Kaden Kopsa

Garrett Surman

Fastest Female (11-17)

Addison Elmore

Grace Sawyer

Fastest Male (10 and under)

Kyler Yuska

Dalton Surman

Cole Kupka

Fastest Female (10 and under)

Kalla Hrabak

Anistyn Bear.