Forget the rainbow--there’ll be a pot of gold at the end of this race.

With some of the fastest runners in the world traveling to Torrance this weekend, a few leprechauns just might get caught.

The 13th annual Mobil St. Patrick’s Day Run for the Blind and the 1992 Mobil World Wheelchair Challenge on Sunday feature past and future Olympians and a cast of thousands.

The races start at the Torrance Del Amo Fashion Center at 7:55 a.m. There will be bands and music along the course and an expo area in the shopping center parking lot. Runners may register before or on the day of the race.

Last year’s races drew 8,700 competitors, and organizers say they expect an even larger field this year.

“It’s one of the fastest 10K races in the West,” said Suzy Broeg of Vistas for Blind Children, the South Bay philanthropic group that is presenting the races.

For women runners, it’s also one of the most lucrative 10K races, with $20,000 in prize money at stake.

The women’s field includes Wanda Panfil of Poland, the reigning world champion in the marathon, Janis Klecker, who finished first in the marathon at the U.S. Olympic trials in January, Olga Markova of the former Soviet Union and Leslie Lewis, the local favorite from Torrance who also competed in the Olympic trials.

Eamonn Coghlin, the best-known runner among the men, holds the world indoor record for the mile. Ten kilometers is about 6 miles, but Coghlin still has the advantage of being Irish.

About 10 blind runners of the U.S. Assn. for Blind Athletes will be competing in the 10K race.

The day’s events also include a 10K wheelchair race featuring top racers Doug Kennedy, Bob Molinitti and Craig Blanchette, a 5K stride, a half-mile dash for children and a buddy run, pairing blind children and young guides.

Since it began, the race had been known as the Tom Sullivan 10K Run. Tom Sullivan and his wife, Patty, founded Vistas in 1979 and developed the race as a fund-raising event for the organization. Last May, Sullivan withdrew his name from the race, citing philosophic disagreements with the organization’s leadership.

“It was his decision to leave,” Broeg said. “The organization evolved and Tom wanted to further his horizons.”

With the support of the Mobil Oil Corp. and other sponsors, the race is expected to raise $300,000, Broeg said. Vistas uses the money to fund the Institute for Families of Blind Children at Childrens Hospital, a vision screening and treatment program with Torrance schoolchildren and pediatric eye research.

“It’s a wonderful charity and a fantastic event,” said Lewis, who is a flight attendant when she’s not running. “It’s exciting for local runners to be able to race against some of the best runners from around the world.”

What: 13th annual Mobil St. Patrick’s Day Run for the Blind and 1992 Mobil Wheelchair Challenge.

Where: The races begin at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, on Hawthorne Boulevard between Carson Street and Sepulveda Boulevard.

When: Sunday at 7:55 a.m. for the wheelchair race, 8 a.m. for the 10K, 8:05 for the 5K and 9:15 a.m. for the children’s and buddy run.

Admission: Registration fee is $18 for adults and $9 for children.

Information: Call (310) 378-7270.