Saint Patrick’s day has long been associated with Animal House excesses of alcohol consumption.

It’s a connection that has ancient roots.

The story goes that back in the day, Saint Patrick visited an inn and scolded the hostess for her short pours. Then he told her she had a demon living in her basement.

Really, who doesn’t?

In any event, helpful Patrick told the innkeeper the only way to be demon-free was to knock it off with the short pours.

Apparently the hostess took his counsel to heart, because when Patrick revisited the inn, he saw her serving overflowing cups of whiskey. And, lo and behold, the demon was gone.

Patrick then proclaimed that everybody should have a long drink of whiskey on his feast day to commemorate this blessed event.

On the chilly streets of Sylvania Sunday morning, it was evident that many were taking that injunction to heart and starting a day early.

A run, a beer, and a Jiggs dinner

The Top ‘O the Mornin’ 5K Fun Run had 144 people registered to participate. Actual turnout was more than half that. 

Participants ran a 3.15 mile course and then bellied up to the bar at Upside Brewing in the 5700 block of Main Street. No short pours were noted. Saint Patrick would have approved. And a Jiggs dinner of corned beef and cabbage was available while supplies lasted.

The event was sponsored by the Upside Run Club and Fleet Feet Toledo, a running shoe store in the shopping center at Central Avenue and Secor Road.

“I’ve been doing the Upside Run Club for three years now,” said Melissa Dallas, the manager of Upside Brewing.

The business was started by her husband, Nick, in 2016 and is owned by her father-in-law, Mark Dallas.

“I wanted to work out and I love doing things for the community,” she said. “This way, I can get my fitness in and meet people in the community.”

The Dallas Taproom, which is also owned by the Dallas family, showcases the five varieties of Upside brews, though not all five are available at the same time. 

The running club meets at the brewery and taproom every Tuesday through the end of October. It plans one-mile, three-mile, and five-mile runs. But not everyone actually runs.

“A lot of people come to walk,” Ms. Dallas said. “People usually drink after the run—and they bring people with them to support them.”

Runners were checked in by Fleet Feet Toledo’s Andria Barlage, who owns the running shoe store which is part of a national franchise.

According to Mindy McCarthy, Fleet Feet Toledo’s operations manager, the store is the only woman-owned running shoe store in Toledo and the only woman-run Fleet Feet franchise in Ohio.

“We’re doing one 5K every month this year to keep the running community active,” she said. “We started with just a handful of people at our first one in February. It was so snowy, but we still had 60 people.”

The store also offers specialized training programs for people who are attempting marathons and half-marathons.

“The store has partnered with Upside since it opened,” Ms. Barlage said, “but this is our first full-blown event together.”

It’s a partnership that may have legs — albeit cold and tired ones.

Hydration and camaraderie

“Most runners love beer,” Ms. Barlage said. “We run so we can drink the beer. It’s carbo-loading.”

“It’s hydration and camaraderie,” a nearby participant shouted enthusiastically.

Eddie Lockhart was one of the people who hit the bar after the run. He’s been a runner for 15 years.

“I run with the Upside Run Club every Tuesday,” he said as he sipped a Dueling Vines, a mixture of a New England IPA and Pinot Grigio juice. “And we socialize — it’s a very social group.”

For those who might not be so keen on drinking alcohol after running more than three miles, the owner of Erin Ann’s, a Main Street shop that sells ice cream, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and baked goods, was on hand to pass out free samples of healthier alternatives.

An hour after the race began, the bar was crowded with Saint Patrick’s Day celebrants. Green mimosas were on offer. Spirits were high.

And a search of the basement turned up zero demons.

First Published March 16, 2025, 7:56 p.m.