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Downtown Lexington Saturday morning was all about the Irish, folks dressed up like Leprechauns and even pots of gold. But there's much more to the event than just folklore, the Shamrock Shuffle raises money for a very worthy cause, in memory of a special man.

"This is my second year shuffling," says Amber Cron, who ran in the race. "We are just out here to have fun, exercise and get together and have a good time."

"We are out here to shuffle! It's the Shamrock Shuffle! We are out here to have a good time and to celebrate St. Patty's Day and get some exercise," agrees Amy Thomas.

But at the 7th annual Shamrock Shuffle, the meaning goes much deeper. Lexington's version was started by the family of Pat Smith who died when Flight 5191 crashed. Pat was on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity, an organization he spent much of his life advocating for. Now, all the money raised will go towards what Pat loved: Giving families the gift of home ownership.

"He was a racer and a runner and it's a great way to honor him," says Rachel Childress with Habitat for Humanity.

The sea of green in Lexington a symbol of more than just the holiday. "Green for green building and energy-efficiency, which is one of our parts of our mission we are very proud of and just the cohesiveness of the community coming together is wonderful," says Childress.

About 3,000 people ran in the race.

For more information about the Shamrock Shuffle, click here.