The Irish Stampede kicks off with locals in green running through the streets. PHOTO BY MICHAEL POT O’ GOLD DAVIS

TAMA – It was early Saturday morning, the sun was bright, the wind was snapping, and a torrent of green festooned citizens hit downtown Tama. This was the Irish Stampede.

A large group of people congregated in and out of the Eagles before lining up for the annual 5k. At the word go, some ran, some jogged, and some just sauntered down the street. Oversized green ties flapped in the wind, green sneakers slapped the pavement, and green cowboy hats looked fabulous as the horde of St. Patrick’s Day celebrating townsfolk corkscrewed through Tama.

The first to complete the course, win the race, and be able to catch his breath was Jonathan Meyer. Meyer ran over the painted clover with a time of 19.06. Meyer said he ran so fast he “dropped the pace car,” the pace car in question being The Tama Pump co-owner Nate Doran on his club golf cart.

Coming in second was Danny Mayo with a time of 23:37, just ahead of Blake Keller, last year’s stampede winner, with a time of 23:38.

Meyer said he thought the route was a little longer than a traditional 5k, to which the event’s organizer, Jeff Niedermann, jokingly replied that it was because the Irish Stampede wanted to challenge its runners.

Local Jonathan Meyer wins the Irish Stampede 5k in 19 minutes. PHOTO BY MICHAEL POT O’ GOLD DAVIS

Those who wanted to participate in the 5k but were unable to run or just didn’t feel like it were able to ride the Struggle Bus for a small fee. The Struggle Bus was a late addition to last year’s Stampede after the weather brought some below zero temperatures, but it has become a big attraction to the event.

Niedermann, Irish Stampede organizer and Tama Pump co-owner, thought the event went very well.

“It takes a community,” Niedermann said while talking about all the effort that was put into getting the event on its feet.

While Niedermann and the other organizers of the event are doing their best to keep the Irish Stampede 5k going, they won’t turn away any help. Any organization that wants to assist in planning and working on future events that keep the community going is welcome.

“We can be run better,” Niedermann said. “I just need more help.”

One runner crosses the finish line while carrying a lil' leprechaun. PHOTO BY MICHAEL POT O’ GOLD DAVIS

This was the second year for the Irish Stampede. Some local businesses like the Eagles, the Legion, and the Country Club helped sponsor the Stampede as well as Sandhill Auto Salvage and Tama Livestock Auction, who pitched in to pay for the live DJ.

Iowa Premium cooked and donated burgers for the occasion. The smell of the grill near the finish line lured in any runners who seemed to have slowed their pace.

The event went all Saturday, ending spectacularly with the rock stylings of Uproar, a local cover band. Uproar rocked close to midnight, closing out another great year of the Irish Stampede with a bang.

Event organizer Jeff Niedermann sees patrons onto the struggle bus. PHOTO BY MICHAEL POT O’ GOLD DAVIS

Iowa Premium donated and cooked up burgers for the event. PHOTO BY MICHAEL POT O’ GOLD DAVIS

Local band Uproar rocks the event at The Tama Pump. PHOTO BY MICHELLE DAVIS

PHOTO BY MICHELLE DAVIS

Gordon Musel of Uproar jams at The Tama Pump for the Irish Stampede. PHOTO BY MICHELLE DAVIS