POULSBO — The weather was just as predicted on March 13: 40 mph wind gusts and heavy rain rolled in with full force in the early morning.

As I laced my running shoes and slipped on my “Irish You Were Beer” T-shirt for the fifth annual Poulsbo Beer Run, I had one thing on my mind: “Oh, blarney, this is going to be cold.”

I and 600 other thirsty participants — in a sea of green garb — sprinted down Poulsbo’s sidewalks to raise money for charity and to run for beer.

Known to athletes and beer enthusiasts alike, the annual Poulsbo Beer Run (PBR) celebrates some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest attributes: rain, running and beer.

The St. Patty’s Day-themed 5K looped through downtown Poulsbo and up Viking Avenue, featured four different stops: Sound Brewery, Envy Bar and Grill, Valholl, and the Slippery Pig.

In between sampling beers, participants (including me) tested their physical limits out of the pub.

The event, founded by Slippery Pig owners Dave Lambert and Shawna Murphy, benefits the Blue Star Banner Program, which honors local men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces by displaying banners throughout Kitsap County and parts of Clallam, Jefferson and Mason Counties.

Lambert wanted to donate proceeds to a smaller organization, said, “It’s a 501c3 organization to honor those men and women in our community. It’s a reminder that they are not forgotten.”

Last year, the event raised more than $4,000 for the Blue Star Banner Program. This year. proceeds totaled over $4,500. The event has grown from 40 participants in its first year to more than 600. And according to race director Larry Hamon, the race sold out fast.

“That was my goal, to increase the amount raised from last year,” Hamon said. “The race just keeps getting better and better.”

The original PBR, in 2012, derived from an errand the couple decided to “run” to Sound Brewery.

“While we were there, we had a beer,” Lambert said. “Then we decided to run to Valhöll for another beer.”

Murphy added, “We thought, people would totally pay to do this. Get a couple beers in people, and they will do anything.”

For third year, Poulsbo Beer Run participant Tim Crook, he said the run combines two of his favorite things: beer and rain.

“We come out from Lake Stevens every year, we have friends that live in Poulsbo,” he said. “Being a military veteran, it’s important to support veterans’ affairs and it’s good exercise in the rain.”

Even in the nasty weather, participants enjoyed the excitement of the event by demonstrating a sense of camaraderie through every element the weather had to offer. Although keeping safety at the forefront and sticking to crosswalks and sidewalks. Some sprinted, some walked, others danced, sang and blew whistles.

Half way into my quest, I spotted a woman sporting a soggy green tutu and a birthday sash at Envy Bar and Grill; Brandi Mcintire from Walla Walla grinned as she celebrated her 37th birthday in style (brew in hand).

“It’s a fun way to get together for an event we can all join in on,” she explained of the enthusiasm on the roads.

While participants raced for charity in the rain, they cheered each other on — giving high-fives, grunts of motivation, taking pictures and swapping laughs.

“Everybody is out for a good time,” Hamon said as he sported his “Blood Sweat and Beers” T-shirt. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m best friends with somebody and I’ve never met them before … I don’t even know how I got back to Valhöll twice …”

I smiled inside knowing I had something to do with that. I think even in the spirit of the moment, I gifted him my my green whistle, as best beer friends would typically do.

When reaching my final destination I felt like an Olympic medalist, receiving my prize of four miles well-ran and a final ‘cold one’ poured in a memorial PBR glass.

The memory of the event — the camaraderie, the taste of artistry in a glass — will never be forgotten. And neither will those on the Blue Star Banners.

All in all, despite the weather it was a great day for a great cause.

(FYI: Hamon directs an another Poulsbo beer run in September, with proceeds benefiting Fishline.)