Nearly 17,000 green-clad runners, many costumed for the occasion, rushed through Pensacola’s downtown streets Saturday in the 36^th McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K.

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The Gulf Breeze Rage All Stars will compete in the international Cheerleading and Dance Worlds Competition from April 26-29 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World. According to a news release, the competition, produced by the United States All Star Federation and the International All Star Federation, is a “premiere championship” and will host the best cheer and dance teams from all over the world.

To offset the unexpected costs, Gulf Breeze Rage is hosting the first OutRageous Luau Showcase from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 17. The event will feature performances by the nationals-winning Rage teams, luau-themed activities, bounce houses, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and local business and craft vendors.

The Gulf Breeze Rage level 5 team earned an at-large-bid when they competed at the World Wide Spirit Association event Feb. 23 in New Orleans.

“This incredible opportunity is every competitive cheerleader’s dream. It is like the Olympics of cheerleading,” said Jodi Fisher West, Rage All Stars competitive cheer director.

Gulf Breeze Rage All Stars boasts a healthy, robust athletic program, grooming athletes aged 3-18 years old into champions. Rage offers a program for everyone, including a noncompetitive cheer team, a special needs team and even a parents’ team. The coaching staff strives to help athletes reach their full potential both inside and outside the gym.

BASKETBALL

West sweeps All-Star games

Standout senior basketball players from Escambia County schools outscored their Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties’ counterparts Friday in the 2013 Subway High School All-Star games at Pensacola State College. The West girls won the first matchup 71-64; the West boys beat the East 89-76. D’Arcy Draper of Pensacola was the West MVP and Kerrie York of Crestview the East MVP in the girls’ matchup. Tyrone Culbreth of Fort Walton Beach earned MVP honors for the boys’ East team and Roderick Carmichael of Pensacola was the West MVP.

Four Raiders represented Navarre High School in the showcase event: Lydiah Brunet and Jessica Reyes were selected to the East girls’ team and Rasheed Williams and Jean Quinones were picked to the East boys’ squad.

The Pensacola Sports Association presents the Subway High School All-Star series. All-Star baseball and softball games are scheduled to be played May 23 at the University of West Florida.

MISC.

Homeschool PE 

Physical education classes for homeschooled children are available at the Fort Walton Family YMCA from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Fridays for boys and girls ages 5-14. March’s theme is fitness and the students will be working on the Presidential Physical Fitness Test components. Cost is $20 per child per month. For more information, call 863-9622.

RUNNING

The Pensacola Sports Association is accepting registrations for the Pensacola Marathon, which will be run Sunday, Nov. 10. The 2012 marathon sold out for the first time in its history with 1,500 runners competing in the marathon and 800 running in the half-marathon.

The race begins and ends at Veteran's Memorial Park on the Pensacola Bay front, then winds its way along a 13.1-mile circuit of the city for the half marathoners and a full 26.2-mile loop for the full marathon.  The course features historic neighborhoods, the downtown district, scenic water views, cliffs, bands, and cheering Pensacolians.  The finish line is next to Pensacola Wall South, the only replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

For those runners still needing to qualify for the Boston Marathon, the Pensacola Marathon is a quality certified course. For full details on the race visit the Pensacola Marathon website at marathonpensacola.com or call (850) 434-2800. Runners can register online at www.marathonpensacola.com, by completing and returning the form printed from the website or in person at Running Wild in Pensacola.

SOFTBALL

Adult softball

The City of Milton is accepting signups for adult spring softball leagues. Spring softball play will include a coed league on Mondays, church league on Tuesdays, a men’s league on Wednesday, and a church coed league on Thursday’s. Cost is $350 per team with play getting underway April 8. For more information, call Robert Arnold at the Milton Community Center at 983-5466 or go to the city’s website, www.ci.milton.fl.us.

YOUTH SPORTS

YMCA Spring Sports

The Fort Walton Family YMCA is registering children ages 3-12 for its YMCA Spring Sports Program through March 8. Boys and girls can participate in age-appropriate leagues such as Mini-Me T-Ball, T-Ball, Coach Pitch Baseball and Kid Pitch Baseball. Sponsors and coaches are always needed. For more information, call the Fort Walton Family YMCA at 863-9622.

Special Olympics Escambia/Santa Rosa will host the Area 1 Summer Games beginning at 9 a.m. March 23 at Corry Station in Pensacola. Area 1 includes Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

Events include tennis, soccer, bocce, volleyball, cycling and track and field. The games begin with the lighting of the Olympic Torch and presentation of the flag by a color guard. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Jessica Barrale at 850-291-6234 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .