Green was good, but greener was better Sunday for the 19th annual Runnin' of the Green in LoDo.

From emerald to chartreuse, from T-shirts to beads, from running shoes to boas, from elite runners to fun walkers, kelly was king and excess was understatement when it came to declaring one's Irishness.

For some, Sunday was just the start of the St. Patrick's Day season, a full week of partying in advance of the noble day itself, which will come Saturday.

If you missed it, you missed the balm of a spring day when everyone turned Irish.

Birthday bash

Whatever happens in LoDo stays in LoDo for Patty Potts, aka Patty O'Potts, of Parker, who will turn 41 on St. Patrick's Day.

Walkin' of the Green has been a birthday tradition for eight years, followed by gifts, gossip and margaritas into the afternoon.

"No kids, no husbands," said Potts, who gave a carnation to each of the five friends celebrating with her - Tammy Desouza, of Brighton; Sara Montag, of Highlands Ranch; and Mary Graham, Lisa Lephart and Cathy Tranchetti, all of Aurora.

"It's the one day that's all about me," said Potts.

Workout on Wazee

Just down Wazee Street from the bagpipers, Hannah Stone, 16, of Aurora, was step dancing like a puppet on a taut string.

Her feet were pounding, the tight blondish curls in her wig were flying and the glitter on her $1,200, custom-made, magenta- and-green costume was sparkling like dew on a Dublin morn.

"It's really fun," said Stone. "It's a really good workout, and you make a lot of friends."

Raising money for charity

John Konopka, 39, of Thornton, grew up in Savannah, Ga., which claims a large Irish population and a long St. Patrick's Day parade.

He and his wife, Korina Konopka, 36, were waiting for friends and people-watching in their green T-shirts. They saw men's briefs festooned with shamrocks worn over green sweatpants, stylin' hats suitable for any occasion and dogs obediently decked out in Kermit's color.

Only 750 ran in the first year of the race, said Runnin' of the Green co-founder Terry McGrath. About 5,200 were registered to run or walk Sunday, with a goal of raising $35,000 for the Volunteers of America.

The Konopkas said they're making St. Patrick's Day an entire week of festivities.

Starting party early

The Runnin' of the Green was voted best post-race party in 2006 by Colorado Runner magazine.

Andy Stutz, 35, of Denver, skipped Sunday's race and began the post-race party early.

Stutz and his mother, Barbara Stutz, baby-sat his 6-month-old son, Coulter Cash Stutz, in the bar at McCormick's Fish House, while Stutz's wife, Katie Stutz, and her sister, Julie Westfield, of Englewood, were running the course.

"Maybe next year I'll run it," he said.

garnerj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5421