St Patrick's Day festivities got off to a blistering start in Central Park on Saturday past when the Options Technology team in New York launched the inaugural Global Craic 10K.
Blue skies welcomed the runners for the Big Apple leg of a run which will take place around the world between now and Sunday 22 March. First home in Central Park was Aodhán McGrath.
Lining out alongside the Options crew were representatives of the Irish American Partnership, the GAA and and the New York Stock Exchange.
Tired and thirsty athletes, wannabe athletes and supporters gathered afterwards in Bartley Dunnes for refreshments.
New York Craic coordinator Naomi Higgins paid tribute to her fellow-volunteers: "This would not have happened without Aileen and Eamon so hats off to both of them! And many thanks to Harley for the help along the way, Anna for being a premier runner of the event, and to Maria, Gráinne, and Siobhán for all of their help with the set-up and registration on the day!"
Options Technology, headquartered in Belfast and with a significant presence in New York, is premier partner of the Global Craic 10K (below) which in turn is an off-shoot of the 6,000-strong SPAR Craic 10K which took place today, St Patrick's Day, in Belfast. 
