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Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 240 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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N. S. from Colorado
(3/29/2016)
 "Cold but fun" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 We ran the marathon on a blustery and wet morning. The expo was very organized and large. We ran the 8K the day before and it was a beautiful morning. I enjoyed the loop around Camp Pendleton and especially around Fort Story, but the out and back on Atlantic was a bit daunting. The finish line festival was so fun - FOUR BEERS per person, and it was good beer too. The Irish stew was delicious and perfect for the conditions, and the band was quite good. It was nice that the tent was so large considering that it wasn't warm enough to stand outside. The medals were neat, and the medal for completing both races was especially enviable. We stayed at the Holiday Inn which was within walking distance of the start and REALLY close to the start of the half. I don't have any complaints except for the weather, and you can't control that. Getting to Virginia Beach is a little costly, but that would be the only downside. | |
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C. W. from Pawling, NY
(3/21/2016)
 "You can't control the weather..." (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a well organized event. I ran the marathon. The course was an out and back for the first half and then a looping out and back in the second half. The finish on the boardwalk was nice and the after party in the tent was a lot of fun. They gave you a banana, bag, towel, honey and oat bar, water, and running cap at the end. The only negative comment I have about the race is that they didn't distribute mylar heat blankets at the end. I saw a lot of people wearing the towels they distributed. This is the first marathon out of the thirteen that I've run that didn't have the heat sheets at the end. The temps, wind, and rain were tough enough during the race and not having the heat sheet made it extremely cold at the end. The second half of the marathon follows the half marathon course. There was also no rhyme or reason to the way gatorade and water were handed out at the stations. Sometimes, gatorade was first and water second. Other times, it alternated. The expo was very good, I enjoyed the added pot of gold and other Shamrock things around the pavilion. I also liked the Irish jokes along the course around mile sixteen/seventeen. The wind was really brutal from miles 10 through sixteen and again from mile 18 through 20. The race organizers can't control the weather. The weather most likely kept the spectators away. It seemed that only the families of people running the races were there to cheer people on. The run through Camp Pendleton was depressing, it would have been better if there were some spectators around. Other than that, this is a well organized race and I would recommend it. | |
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nick keeling from bethesda md
(4/17/2015)
"Well organized, great course" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a well organized marathon. Good course, flat, though a little windy, fantastic volunteers, great party afterwards. And the 5:00 hr pace group guy Chris did a wonderful job. I would recommend this marathon! | |
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A. p. from St. Marys, MD
(3/29/2015)
 "Wonderful, as always." (about: 2015)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 4th year attending, 3rd year running. My first race and the only one I continually run each year. Great shirts, finisher items (although the beach towel is a little cheap feeling and they gave a towel last year. the blankets and sweatshirts from the years before were awesome). The post race parties (we did the 8k the day before) have plenty of beer and is a great party atmosphere. Packet pick up was organized. I recommend this for first timers. This race will always be a better experience for the half marathon runners, but the nice flat course makes it a great marathon choice, too. | |
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S. S. from Rockville, MD, USA
(3/23/2015)
"Fast course and great organization" (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is flat and fast. The temperature was perfect and for a small race, there were fans pretty much the whole way. The expo was really well run and easy to get to. There was plenty of parking on race day. The towel at the finish was a nice change from the mylar sheets. I look forward to 2016. | |
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C. M. from Philadelphia
(3/22/2015)
"Great Event - Highly Recommend" (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very well organized and is usually well represented by the regional running community. The course isn't spectacularly beautiful, but it's nice to run a bit along the beach boardwalk and through a few of the local military bases. Not a bad crowd for a small city, and they are so supportive! The course is Very well organized and is usually well represented by the regional running community. The course isn't spectacularly beautiful, but it's nice to run a bit along the beach boardwalk and through a few of the local military bases. Not a bad crowd for a small city, and they are so supportive! The course is jam packed with volunteer stations, cheer stations, DJ's, and bands. It's impressive. The beer tent and after party also get great reviews although I didn't really participate in that. I've run 8 marathons, including 2 shamrocks, and I have to say it's a first class event. The race organization is totally on par with the Marine Corp Marathon in my opinion. It's a great spring marathon, and the regional marathon community really turns out for this race. The weekend is a true running celebration in which the whole town is overrun with runners. It's just awesome. I totally recommend this marathon. jam packed with volunteer stations, cheer stations, DJ's, and Bands. It's impressive. The beer tent and after party also gets great reviews although I didn't really participate in that. I've run 8 marathons, including 2 shamrocks, and I have to say it's a first class event. The race organization is totally on par with the Marine Corp Marathon in my opinion. It's a great spring marathon, and the regional marathon community really turns out for this race. The weekend is a true running celebration in which the whole town is overrun with runners. It's just awesome. I totally recommend this marathon. | |
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A. T. from Chicago
(3/18/2014)
"Highly Recommend" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Perfect for me. Scenic, minimal spectators (I'm slower), big enough to feel the energy, great post-race (band, stew, beer), great volunteers and aid stations (thank you volunteers it got so cold and windy as the day went on!), very well organized, great website. I stayed at the Royal Clipper 4 blocks from start/finish; $85; no 2-night minimum; late checkout. Expo closes at 5 p.m. night before (very hard for people flying in) but will deliver your packet to beach hotel for $30. | |
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Chuck in Cincinnati from Milford, Ohio
(3/18/2014)
"Gold athe end of the rainbow is the Shamrock" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Marathon number 30 for me. Very well run marathon and worth running. The weather: Non-issue with me, because we all have to deal with it, so there is sense in commenting on it. It's a: ' you get what you get, and plan on race morning' The Expo. : Very spacious and everything you could ask for. Accommodations: Very nice. We stayed at the Cutty Sark Motel. A little historic kind of place with stove, fridge, microwave, dishes, the works. All surrounded by high rise mega hotels, AND You still had a view of the ocean. Little did I know, that every race that weekend went right by the place. All my wife had to do is go out onto the balcony and watch. Also the place was about .4 miles from the start and finish which was nice. Great room rates too. Organization: Top notch !!! Never had to ask any questions, very easy everything ! Easy packet pick-up, course well secured, tons of port-o-lets, the best part ? The volunteers !!! awesome job guys ! EMS everywhere on bike, and stations located on the course. Course: Not too bad ? I'm really not an out and back fan, but the long run out around the base near the bay, is a lot better than just running around a cone. It was nice to see the leaders flash on by. It reminds me of how fast I am.. in my dreams ! As for elevation change ? Everyone joked about the hill& it's a waterway canal bridge crossing. This is one flat course !!!! OH did I mention the volunteers ? Everything super stocked, very friendly, and I was a 4:55 finisher, and they were all out there cheering us on ! Finish and post party: Only thing I can say is: OUTSTANDING ! Talk about huge party with an even bigger tent ? WOW !!! If you're looking for a flat fast course, while having a good time for the weekend ? This is a great marathon to do. I recommend it to anyone. One last note: We all know it can happen, and sadly this time it happened at the Shamrock. We lost a running family member. Rest in peace sweet angel. Our thoughts are with you always. Show us the good running trails up there, when we all meet again ! | |
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A. H. from Hampton Va
(3/17/2014)
"fabulous!!!" (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I thought the race had a lot of energy!!! The spectators were fabulous! The course was rather crowded at times and it was annoying when you were getting bumped but other than that-I loved it!!! I am already thinking about doing it again next year! Virginia Beach had an upbeat atmosphere and the weather just made it more pleasurable. | |
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m. s. from mansfield, tx
(3/17/2014)
"Flat and windy for 2014" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Good marathon with a nice view of the ocean during parts of the race. Windy in 2014 but wind is to be expected in March and on the Atlantic coast. Flat course with good aid stations and great volunteers. Nice 'bottle opener' medal. Put this one on your to-do list. |
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