JAMESTOWN, N.D. - And they're off.
A crowd estimated to meet or exceed the 3,000 to 3,500 revelers departed the Frontier Fort on the 33rd annual Runnin O' the Green on Saturday afternoon in Jamestown. The group wound its way through town, visiting the checkpoint bars along the way.
Annual proceeds from registration fees benefit Camp Grassick, a youth camp funded by the Elks Club, and cancer patients. This year, proceeds will also benefit a Jamestown College athlete injured in a pole-vaulting accident.
The event started years ago with a small group of runners, an Irish priest and a dog. It has grown into one of the largest public events in Jamestown.
However, the event does bring with it some problems for law enforcement.
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Traffic on the police scanner was lively through the afternoon, with multiple counts of public urination and unlawful possession of alcohol outside the area set aside at each bar.
"We've been busy making quite a few arrests," said Lt. Robert Opp, shift supervisor for the Jamestown Police Department. "But no fights and no major incidents yet."
Last year, the police made 33 arrests for open container in public, four for underage drinking, four for disorderly conduct and three for driving under the influence.
Law enforcement officials have been reminding runners that a saturation DUI patrol is scheduled today in the area.
Keith Norman writes for The Jamestown Sun
