‘It’s a really worthy cause’: Lucky weather as St. Patrick’s Day Dash raises money for the Assistance League of Bend

(Update: Adding video, comments from Cascade Relays CEO)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- St. Patrick's Day is Sunday, which means people in Bend were getting a head start Saturday by enjoying the St. Patrick's Day Dash and a wide variety of related Irish-themed activities in Bend's Old Mill District.

Hundreds of people laced up their shoelaces and put on green attire, to avoid being pinched.

 It really was the luck of the Irish Saturday -- one of the warmest sunny days in weeks for the 5-K and 10-K.  Mt. Bachelor Rotary and Cascade Relays partnered up to bring everyone a mix of fitness, green beer and live music. 

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Assistance League of Bend, a 21 Cares for Kids partner.

Cascade Relays CEO Scott Douglass explained why the organization was chosen this year.

"Rotary, actually, so they're the ones that choose the charity partner each year. So they get the opportunity to make that decision. They come together as a group to make that decision.

:Assistance League really does a really incredible service to our community, serving children and also people dealing with cancer and and dealing also with poverty in Central Oregon," Douglass said. "It's a really worthy cause. And the Rotary felt that that was the best organization this year to be the beneficiary." 

This year, there was also a boost in runners --  nearly 500 participants, compared to about 300 last year. The goal was to raise several thousand dollars for the Assistance League of Bend.