Irish Eyes Smile On Newtown’s Sold Out Shamrock Shuffle

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA - Irish eyes were smiling on Saturday as hundreds hit the pavement in Newtown for this year’s Shamrock Shuffle.

Overcast skies and a light mist greeted another record number of runners - more than 800 - who donned the green for this year’s race, which wound its way through the tree-lined streets of Newtown Borough.

As a large crowd cheered, Newtown’s own Ethan Frank crossed the finish line first beneath a giant green balloon arch framing North State Street. He ran in memory of his mom who died from pancreatic cancer in 2022.

Council Rock North graduate Claire Pfansteil of Newtown was the first female to cross the finish line. She is a member of the track team at Hamilton College where she is studying environmental science.

Claire Pfansteil of Newtown was the first female to cross the finish line. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Kathy Buczek from the Temperance House shows her Irish spirit. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The 2025 Shamrock Shuffle is off and running. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

From left: Christine Edmonds, Newtown Borough Police Chief James Sabath, Kathy Buczek from the Temperance House and Adrienne Edmonds.

Meg Russell sings the National Anthem. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Among this year’s runners was Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke and his two daughters, Erin and Bridget.

“The run was perfect. The race was crowded, which is good to see. You had to maneuver in and out of people but it was good,” said the mayor. “It was a great day for Newtown and a great day to be Irish.”

His daughters added, “It was a little misty but it kept you cool. It was fun. It was awesome. And there was a lot of Irish spirit,” they said.

Cheering on the runners as they made their way across the finish line was Christine Edmonds, the founder of A Love for Life, the beneficiary of Saturday’s race. A Love for Life raises funds for pancreatic cancer research in hopes of one day finding a cure.

Edmonds founded the organization in memory of her husband, Kevin, who died from the disease in 2012 after a two-year battle. She and her organization have raised more than a million dollars for the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine where 100 percent of the money funds cutting edge research.

“What a glorious, happy day in Newtown,” said Edmonds. “Everywhere you looked were smiling faces, and hundreds of families and neighbors, laughing and enjoying the morning. It really was a morning to appreciate the joys of being in a small town that has a huge heart.

“We had over 40 volunteers that showed up early and helped to control the traffic and assist our borough police department. Some of the runners had never been to Newtown before, and were impressed with the race coordination. Carly Bovell and her team with BOSS Events really hit this one out of the park.”

Ready for the race. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Mayor John Burke with his daughters, Erin and Bridget. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

Christine Edmonds of A Love for Life with family members at the race. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Christine and a group of volunteers from A Love For Life, presented medals to every runner who crossed the finish line and made sure each received a bottle of water, fresh fruit, and refreshments. Later they joined them at The Temperance House for a post-event celebration.

“There is such a feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie at the end of the race - and a lot of celebrating at the Temperance House afterwards!” said Edmonds.

The event was organized by Newtown-based Boss Events, which produces endurance events that focus on creating a first-class racing experience. This was the event’s seventh year, but the third time the 5K took place only in Newtown Borough with the Temperance House as its festival partner.

Edmonds added her thanks to Newtown Borough Police Chief James Sabath and the officers who provided support during the event and secured the safety of the participants and to Newtown Ambulance Squad, which stood by if needed.