Shamrock Marathon

One of the best races I have been to in a long time. The race officials and spectators were so kind. It was very well organized and the route was nice. Not to mention the expo was easy to get in and out of without feeling overly crowded. The post party was great with a true party feel. Additionally, I love my medal, hat, shirt and towel I received for running the race. Thanks for a great race and I hope to run again next year!

The Shamrock Marathon is seriously one of the best races around. I first did the Half Marathon in 2010, and immediately knew that I wanted to return one day for the full Marathon, which I did this year. In fact, I did the Whale Challenge (8K on Saturday, Marathon on Sunday).
Everything about this race is great. The registration fees are comparable to other marathons, and of course cheaper the earlier you register. With registration, you get your typical technical shirt (for the marathon and half — 8K gets a long sleeved cotton tee), and finisher’s medal. But that’s not all — for both the half and the full, I’ve gotten a technical finisher’s hat each year, in 2010 got a long sleeved finisher’s tee, and this year got a finisher’s beach towel. Also, for completing the Whale Challenge, I received a medal for the 8K, Marathon, and a special Whale Challenge Medal.
The expo is well organized, and a great place to pick up even more free swag. This year I left the expo with a Livestrong tech hat, a couple of cups, Chapstick (I like to keep one in the pocket of each of my running jackets), a ton of beer cozies, and a handful of other samples and freebies. They have decent quality race items for purchase, including a nice Brooks top that I bought, and a pint glass (I like to collect them from all my big races).
The races themselves are also well organized. There’s no question as to where your corral begins, and the corrals go off at decent intervals. Tons of water/​Gatorade stations, and even a few Gu stations along the marathon course. And with photographers everywhere, you are guaranteed a great race pic! The crowds are also great and enthusiastic, especially our finest men and women stationed at the Virginia Beach Army Base.
Following the race is a cool celebration inside the party tent on the beach. The Yuengling is free flowing and some bands play. There’s also some Irish stew, which unfortunately is not vegetarian, because a nice hot, salty stew would have been nice after the marathon.
Runners must put this race on their «to do» list. I hope to go back to Virginia Beach to do one of the other J&A Races, probably the Surfin’ Santa 10 Miler in December.

I may be a bit biased because I’m from Virginia and I’ve done this race many times now, but it is AWESOME and the best marathon ever (I’ve done a few all over the US)! It is very flat which is always a plus in my book because I’m a big wuss and hate hill training. The scenery is great because it winds around towards First Landing and Fort Story and comes back on the boardwalk to finish at 31^st street near the humongous statue of King Neptune so you can clealy see the finish from a mile away; which is an important motivating factor for that last little push! The time of year is perfect as well as it’s usually a cool 50-​mid 60 degree sunny day down by the oceanfront. The crowds and the volunteers are wonderful and are spread out all over the course, not just the beginning. They hand out everything from the usually goo shots to beer to candy bars!
It’s very well organized from the time when you register to a few days after the marathon itself when you get your finisher’s certificate and can see your photos. It’s also a very good registration price for the schwag that you get. Not only have I received the usual finisher’s medal (which is very cool as well because it doubles as a beer bottle opener) and the technical tee, but I’ve gotten a different added extra every year including a very warm hoodie as well as a soft, cozy blanket! Ooo la la! So nice to receive as it’s a bit chilly on the beach at the finish. The after party is awesome and it’s the only one I’ve ever really cared to stay after for after having run my butt off (literally!) It’s inside of a tent where they have a live band playing as well as ample amount of food including Irish beef stew from Murphy’s, fruit, chips, protein bars, cookies, but most importantly, Yuengling!
There are other races all weekend long including a few kids fun races, an 8k, and a half marathon. You have the option of doing the dolphin or whale challenge which is doing 2 – 3 days of all the races. If you’re an avid marathoner, this is a MUST on your list! And if you’re a newbie and contemplating which marathon for your first, DO THIS ONE! You won’t be sorry. I’m so highly disappointed this is the first year I won’t be running it this weekend. Have a blast my fellow marathon maniacs!

I ran the 8K on Saturday and the ½ Marathon on Sunday (otherwise known as the Dolphin Challenge). This is an awesome race to do that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Very flat course, see a good amount of Virginia Beach and you finish on the Board Walk. The expo is Friday and Saturday with the Friday expo running unti l9 pm which I appreciate (didn’t get into town until 7 and I was running the 8K at 8AM). Easy to get through and pick up your stuff to boot.
Race itself was a little chilly, but expect it with being on the beach. Know that the Half Marathon starts before the Full in order to clear out the Half Marathon route which is the second half of the Full Marathon. Awesome post race swag (medal, finisher’s hat and finisher’s blanket) with a post race tent that has Yuengling (every runner gets up to 4 beers), irish stew and concerts.
This race is definitely worth the price to come run and typically sells out early so be on the look out for it!

Shamrock is a huge marathon run every March on the Oceanfront. With over 24,000 participants from all fifty states, this Yuengling sponsored event attracts people from all over and pretty much shuts down the beach (for drivers) for the weekend. With free concerts, kids’ races and plenty of Yuengling, it’s a great and healthy way to spend a weekend and meet lots of new people.

Ha, I WISH I ran the marathon. Maybe one day. Last year, I ran the Shamrock 8k, which is part of the Shamrock Marathon.
It was my first race, and I had a blast. There are hundreds of people signed up for the race, and the organizers do an amazing job with crowd control at the Oceanfront.
Okay, it’s a bit cold and windy at the beach in the middle of March, but once you are running, it’s not so bad. For the 8k, the very last stretch of the race was on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean. You can’t beat that for some motivation.
After the race, there’s a tent with live music and free beer on the beach. I wish I could work up the appetite for a drink, but nothing appeals to me less than beer after a 5-​mile run when it’s still 10:30 in the morning. Even Yuengling didn’t tempt me.
Anyhow, this was my very first race, and it was a great way to get started and excited about jogging. If you’re new to running or you are just jogging, I encourage you to consider the Shamrock. It’s really a lot of fun. There are runners and walkers and everything in between, so you’ll fit right in. There’s also a half-​marathon as well as a kids race.