This is the 6th time I have run the full marathon here in Virginia Beach (and probably 40 overall), so I hope my comments carry a little more weight here.

The race is owned by two runners and athletes, so they know what runners want. This is an extremely well organized race. Packet pick up is easy and quick. The expo is fine, lets be real, if you have been to one, you have been to them all!

Race day parking is an issue for the FULL marathoners, as each year, the half (which starts an hour earlier at 7 am) gets bigger. 8,500 half marathoners plus their support people/spectators means that if you are looking for parking for the full, you are going to be parking about a mile or more away. Personally I don't mind as it helps to walk AFTER the race!

The races start on time and you will get a flat, well marked course. Expect clocks every few miles, with them being more consistent towards the end. At the water stops/aid stations (Gel), expect them to be fully stocked and fully staffed. I have NEVER seen them run out of water or not have cups always ready!

The weather, of course, is the wildcard. I have run it in 35 degrees and 30 mph headwinds. I have run it in 70 degrees with no wind. It's the weather in March in the Mid-Atlantic. You just never know...I always say, just show up and run!

Do not expect a lot of spectators, as the race is run near the Oceanfront and passes thru a lot of non-residential areas. You won't see much on the Oceanfront for the start or on the military bases you run thru.

Post race & 'schwag' is fantastic...You get a nice long sleeve Brooks tech shirt (design this year was hideous, I thought), a reusable cloth bag and at the finish you get a huge medal, a finishers hat and shirt (long sleeve cotton, which I love). The post race party is great...The stew is nice, and free beer (although I don't drink). If its warm outside, people just hang out on the beach after the race for hours.

Again,The staff and organizers of this great event did a splendid job.This is why my friends and I drive 16 hours. I must say ,this is my 4th Shamrock and was definitely the toughest.The heat was a factor,very hot for this time of the year,I wish the Marathon would start before the half, reverse the starting times.Anyway, I got to see the sun rise Sat. and Sun. over the ocean which was spectacular and we all had a terrific week-end. I was wondering why there were no results posted on the back wall like last year? Thank You all for an overall Great Week-end. Hope to see you all next year. Cheers!!

This is my second Shamrock. It is one of the best races I've done. There is much value for the registration fee: tech shirt, finisher's hat, finisher's t-shirt, fantastic medal, well stocked aid stations, good course, good expo, and fun post-race party. For those needing crowd support, please realize that this is not Chicago or New York. There are not constant crowds, but good crowd support from about mile 1 to 14 and from about mile 23 to the end. I have no complaints about this marathon. I think anyone will enjoy it - whether a first-timer or an experienced marathoner.

Marathon is a GREAT EVENT for RUNNERS! It is an extremely well run/well organized race that has a lot of fun character to go with it. It is the perfect size, course, and weather (usually) for a great finishing time. Most of the hoopla seems to be for the half marathon (VERY fun having run that before), but the marathon is great for a serious day of running. I love this event overall!

Pros: Price, Location, Expo, Course, # of Participants, Weather, Course Logistics, Volunteers

Cons: Quiet race for the most part in terms of spectators (Pro for some people),Forces one to train through the winter (Pro for some people)

This event is always first-class, and for this year, there was even warm weather. It was at least 40 degrees warmer then in '09. I ran the DOLPHIN CHALLENGE this year - the 8K on Saturday and the half on Sunday. The support was great, and the signs between miles 4 and 6 had a lot of us laughing.

At the finish you get a medal, a hat, and this year, a finisher's shirt - as well as lots of food.

I highly recommend this event.

I've run 52 marathons. I ran the Shamrock 3 times now. Everything about this race is first class; this is the reason I drive 16 hours from Montreal, Canada. The 2009 edition was perfect - the weather could not have been better. The people and volunteers are extremely friendly, which helps a lot. From the start to the finish, I love it all! this year, 4 more friends will travel with me and run. Can't wait to get there!!

This was my first marathon and I ran 3:00:21. I loved the course; it was flat and fast. It was not windy this year when I ran it, but I've heard others say it was in the past. The crowd support was great for the first 13.1 miles, but then it fell off while out by Fort Story and the Cape Henry Lighthouse. It was dead out there, but the crowds were great as I neared the waterfront and boardwalk area for the finish. The expo was organized, the people were very helpful and friendly, the shirts were awesome, the Irish stew at the finish line was very tasty, and the weather was perfect.

Awesome, well organized race. I loved the boardwalk finish, but it's deceptively long once from the point where you get on the boardwalk to the finish (King Neptune).

The best post party ever. This is my 21st and it had the best post party. After all of that running, everyone was all smiles. There were no grumps!!!

This was my first marathon, and I have done others since. I did not expect the long stretches of running through military bases and roads that would be without people/spectators. Miles 18-23 were quite the mind game. :)

All that being said, I would trade a few lonely miles for a killer beer garden at the finish line... on the beach... thanks to Yuengling!

Really great expo. Plenty of lodging at or around start/finish line. We booked at the last minute and had the impression that everything was sold out. It wasn't. This race takes place pre-beach season by a few weeks. You should not have to stay more than .5 miles away from the start/finish, so call around.