Every March, thousands of racers in green parade to Virginia Beach, Virginia to try their luck in the Shamrock Marathon. The course races along the oceanfront and ends with a massive Shamrock party at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
Besides the ocean waves and miles of sand, there is a lot to see along this sun-drenched course.
Racers are taken through picturesque neighborhoods with beautiful homes and manicured lawns then through Camp Pendleton and into a state part.
The entire course ends on the boardwalk with all the celebratory action you would expect of the lucky Irish. There is plenty of Irish beer bubbling over and spirits are high. This is the opportunity for racers to cool off with their tired feet in the sand, a cold beer in hand, and lots of dancing and mingling to live entertainment.
Fun to Run
This party on the boardwalk after the race is one of the big attractions of the Shamrock Marathon. Many marathons that serve as Boston Marathon qualifiers tend to be more serious in nature. This race is unique in that it has a very lighthearted, fun theme yet attracts some of the more serious professional racers in the country.
It is a delicate mix of serious race time for those who want to race in Boston and a happy party for those who just want to make it to the finish time then relax and have a great time.
You can even purchase Shamrock Marathon swag online, so you are perfectly dressed for the occasion when your feet hit this exciting beachside course.
Boston Marathon Qualifier
Other than the exciting course and finishing party, a big attraction of the Shamrock Marathon is the fact that it serves as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. This means all of the party runners in green are competing with elite athletes ready to take on the course and win their way to one of the most prestigious running events in the world. This definitely contributes to the popularity of the event, but the party atmosphere remains the biggest attraction for many runners.
First Time Marathoners
The lighthearted theme of the marathon also makes this race an excellent option for those running their very first marathon. The crowd is friendly and the course is challenging, so first-timers have plenty of motivation to make it to the end within the seven hour time limit. All runners just need to plan their training around that time limit to make sure they secure their entrance to the party on the other side of the finish line.
Shamrock Marathon Training Plan
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Shamrock Marathon Registration
The limit on runners allowed to register for the Shamrock Marathon is considerably lower than many other United States races, so it is a good idea for all interested participants to get their registrations in as early as possible.
Those who register before the end of June get the lowest rates, with the highest rates being offered the weekend of the event (provided there are spaces available for last minute entries). The best hotels may book up fast in the area as well, which is yet more incentive for making all travel plans as early on as possible.
Groups are also allowed to enter the marathon, so this is a great opportunity to get coworkers, military personnel, and other groups together for a bit of fun and casual enjoyment. Everyone can get involved with the training process, so it serves as a bonding experience that will benefit the entire office after the race is over.
Remember, there is also a half marathon, 8K, and a “final mile” event held on marathon weekend. There is also a children’s marathon, though children may not need to be present at the end of the marathon with parents.
Special Events and Expo
Finally, there are some special events that are optional for entrants into the Shamrock Marathon. For instance, there is a Whale Challenge that puts runners to the task to complete the 8K race as well as the marathon. This is super challenging and will require some extra training for those who choose to take on the challenge.
There is a Sports & Fitness Expo that takes place the weekend of the marathon, and this is where race entrants will pick up their packets. This is also where new racers will go to register, if there are spaces still available. Besides that, the expo is a great place to stack up on free samples of products marketed to runners and check out many products that you may not be familiar with already.
Whatever you do, do not forget your Shamrock “Schwag!”
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