This was my 54th marathon or ultra and my 26th state.

Most aspects of the race were excellent (volunteers, aid stations, T-shirt, traffic control, mile markers, photographers, lodging, etc.), but unfortunately the main thing that I will remember is the poor job that was done in supplying an official finisher's certificate.

The race Web page said, 'Your entry fee includes, . . . [a] parchment certificate to all marathon finishers presented at the finish line'. I hoped that this would mean that the computer scoring system was automatically generating official finishers' certificates. I imagined that I would tell a volunteer my bib number, and they would then hand me my freshly printed official certificate. Instead, I found a group of volunteers filling out certificates by hand. They did not even know my time. Since I could not remember it exactly either, they gave me a blank certificate to fill in myself. This lack of attention to a very important detail, left me dissatisfied with an otherwise well organized event.

The post-race food left something to be desired as well. I realize that Budweiser was one of the major sponsors, but beer and fruit is not much of a recovery meal. I would have enjoyed some real food (pasta, chicken, bagels, yogurt, etc.). Many other races do much better.

Although these may appear to be minor complaints, when one spends a great deal of money to travel to an out-of-state marathon, they expect everything to be perfect.

Being from VA, an 85 degree day in March is a rarity and definitely was unwelcome on the day of my first marathon! Other than that, the course along the ocean was very nice, but only gave it 3*'s due to a v. boring strech from miles 8-21.5 on a road with nothing to look at and then in a military base. The spectators were absolutely great, but they weren't allowed in the military base for about 10 miles which made the race seem longer.

The organization, though, was fantastic and all the volunteers couldn't be friendlier!

Apart from the unexpected March HEAT, this was a good race. I'd recommend it to anyone. Great fans, great support, prompt start time. Give it a shot next year! I'll be back.

That was the toughest race I have ever experienced. Unexpectedly Hot! Very difficult to rate the spectators' support and the organization after having done Chicago marathon. The surface was tilted left and right which I could feel in my ankles later. Overall, a very solid, smaller race. The run along the ocean front was the best. I am glad I did it, but probably would not do it again.

2002 race was hot! Race was well organized with plenty of fruit, gatorade and water provided by very helpful volunteers. Course was very well marked, and had good law enforcement support. Good medical support at the end. Getting a $5 after-race massage was the best! Staff broke down the finish line entirely too soon. Very hot and tired racers with a time of 5 hours plus came into a very sad finish line with the balloon arch and reception crew already gone, and only the clock left running.

After missing my qualifying time by 3 min at Disney in Jan of 2001, I came right back and entered the Shamrock, I was determined to make Boston in 2002. I found this to be well organized, fun, on a lightning fast course. We lucked out with the weather which turned out to be perfect. One day made all the difference in the world. The next day was cold and VERY windy. Running on the boardwalk and then through the city streets can be tough with a good stiff breeze. Had a great run, beat my time, and am set for Boston. Great expo prior to race, however skip the post race party after the race, and enjoy the other night life in VA beach.

Very boring course. Still, the Shamrock is well organized and easy.

I have run this marathon twice...both times, cutting many (many!) minutes off my previous PR's. Mostly this is due to a flat course and fewer runners than some marathons. If the winds are like they usually are, it can be brutal, but in 2001 it was a calm day. Lack of spectators, music, etc. make it a good marathon to run with a friend.

The main problem I have with this course is that you are always running with a slope to the left or right. Most of the time, the runners are confined to one lane of a road, so it is sloping toward the curb. The stretches where there were two lanes(7 to 11 and 18 to 21), the entire road sloped one way or the other. By the time I was done, my ITs and outer quad muscles were trashed. For this reason, I would not do this course again.

I felt a little confined after running. Great to see the carpet. I couldn't get sports drink from around mile 18 - 20...that was a little dissapointing! WHAT GREAT WEATHER!!!