Run in the Pub Fundraiser Slated for Saturday

NORWALK, Conn. — This coming Saturday, Norwalk resident Jimmy Booth will be running for a reason, as he completes an indoor marathon on a treadmill to raise funds for a pair of scholarships that will be awarded to two 2026 city high school graduates.

Booth’s “Run in the Pub Fundraiser” will be held Saturday, Aug. 30, at O’Neill’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 93 North Main St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Funds will be raised via the raffling of numerous items donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. The raffle will be held at 5 p.m. 

“Attendees are welcome to join us for a raffle at the fundraiser event, and I invite you to stop by for lunch or visit briefly to extend your greetings while I look to complete a marathon on a treadmill,” said Booth, who will be completing his 10th and (what he said is his) final Run in the Pub in a Facebook post regarding the event.

Booth said he hopes to complete the marathon in a time “between five hours and 15 minutes and five hours and 30 minutes if I decide to walk a few miles,” he said.

Though this will be Booth’s 10th Run in the Pub, it’s his first since prior to the pandemic. 

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to combine my passions for running and supporting worthy causes through an event called Run in the Pub, which took place from 2011-2019,” said Booth, a longtime runner who is a member of the Norwalk Run/Walk Club. 

Booth tipped his cap to O’Neill’s, which he said “has been immensely supportive, allowing me and sometimes a team of friends to run a marathon on a treadmill inside their establishment to raise funds for notable organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation, Open Doors Shelter, Homes for the Brave, Joe Mazzo Time to Fight Fund, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, The Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of Southern CT, CancerCare, and TurningPoint CT.”

He also thanked the various businesses that have donated items for Saturday’s raffle. 

“I am thankful to the following businesses having donated a raffle item, which include Oksana Tanasiv Gallery, Elicit Brewing Co – Fairfield, Coals Norwalk, Forever Sweet Bakery, B.J. Ryan’s, Accurate Auto Repair, Spacecat Brewing Company, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk Pizza & Pasta, Connecticut Sun, Flying Scotsman, SONO 1420, Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, The Blind Rhino South Norwalk, Sly Bandit Brewing Company and a friend who is donating New York Mets tickets which includes parking,” Booth wrote on the Run in the Pub Facebook page last weekend.

Booth’s run this weekend will benefit a pair of high school students in Norwalk. 

“The 10th and final Run in the Pub will fund a one-time needs-based college scholarship for a student from both Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon High School who demonstrates exceptional community service,” he said. “The scholarship will be awarded in 2026 during each school’s respective scholarship ceremony.”

 The Brien McMahon High School Athletic Department is donating to Booth use of one of its treadmills on Saturday to complete his indoor run at O’Neill’s.

“We are happy to support Jimmy’s fundraising efforts,” said Ollie O’Neill, owner of O’Neill’s. “He has been a friend and customer for many years and he is always trying to help the community, similarly to what we try to do as a small business here in town. It would be great to see all of Jimmy’s friends and our friends come down to support this fun event. It is for a great cause and will help out some local students in the future. Jimmy always has some fun prizes and giveaways organized, so everyone will have an opportunity to win some great prizes. We hope to have a great turnout to support Jimmy.”

Booth will also be collecting nonperishable food items as he completes his Run in the Pub.

“In addition, I plan on having an opportunity to support the food pantry at Open Doors Shelter, so feel free to bring a bag of canned or dry-boxed food to support the food pantry, which helps those dealing with food insecurity in the Norwalk community,” he said.

“As I celebrate my 50th birthday shortly before this event, I want to convey a clear message: strive to support those in need. Even small contributions can have a significant impact, providing immense personal satisfaction,” explained Booth. “As stated in a biblical quote, ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.’”

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