St. Patrick's Day may be two weeks away, but there are plenty of people celebrating the day this weekend. For some, their way to celebrate the Irish is to make a run for it. 

More than 5,000 runners took on a hilly course circling Fort Tyron Park at the Road Runners' Washington Heights Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks 5K. 

They were serenaded by bands playing everything from Irish folk music to jazz.

"This has been a longstanding event here up in the community, and what's really great about it is that it celebrates all of the ethnic community members that come out and support the race," said Peter Ciaccia, president of events with the New York Road Runners.

"This is a great area of New York. Not too many people, they think about Washington Heights but don't realize how beautful it is," said runner Dmitriy Boyko.

The event also featured a youth run to kick off this year's Rising New York Road Runners youth season. 

Proceeds from the race will be given to the Armory Foundation, which helps promotes fitness and educational programs to children.