Last night more than 250 runners showed up at Niketown for Run Lucky to get in the spirit for the March 21 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and to celebrate the kickoff of the outdoor running season. (Yeah! The sun is shining and the birds are chirping! It’s here, it’s here!)

Dressed in green to get in the Shamrock Shuffle lucky spirit, runners enjoyed the more-balmy-than-it-has-been-in-months evening air for a 1-mile jaunt to the Chicago Ave El stop after leaving Niketown. On the platform, bagpipers and Irish dancers serenaded the green-clad runners before they boarded the “Shamrock Express,” a private CTA train arranged by Nike. The end stop: the Paulina station, and then more green merriment (brews and snacks) at the Mystic Celt.

Did you miss out on the revelry? No worries. Nike hosts weekly runs from Niketown (though, don’t expect the special CTA train each week!). And you can check TOC’s print Listings or our Sports page for upcoming races, running groups and more outdoor running news.