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May 18, 2024

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 191 to 201]

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J. C. from Durham, NC (3/21/2005) "Very good experience overall" (about: 2005) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Flat with one minor hill (50 feet). Crowd support OK. Scenic portion through First Landing SP and boardwalk finish. Announcer called everyone's name at the finish was a fantastic touch. *Finisher's medal very nice.
Kathryn Simin from State College, PA (3/21/2005) "Thanks Shamrock Marathon!" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and the experience was great. A lot of it was due to the weather, which, of course, Shamrock has no control over. Weather was perfect. Little to no breeze. Scenic and flat course. Enthusiastic spectators while sometimes sparce. Water stops were nicely placed. Thanks to Boy Scout Troop #1 around mile 17 for the support and water/Gatorade! Mile markers clearly placed. Great ending along the boardwalk. Thanks Virginia Beach!
W. J. from Vienna, Virginia (3/21/2005) "A blast for a beginner" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon at the age of 24 and, believe me, I haven't had more fun then that in a LONG time. The course was great and flat. The run along the boardwalk at the end was perfect. Some say it hurt their feet, but mine were in pain well before that so I didn't really notice a difference. The few fans who showed up were great. Including some at the 2nd mile marker giving out free beer. I shouted, "It's 7:45am! Who drinks beer at this hour?!" The only part of the course I didn't care for was the run through the fort. We kept doubling back on ourselves and it felt like this is where the marathon was just eating up those miles it couldn't fit anywhere else. The post-race food was plentiful and free beers as well. Sitting down on a beach after a marathon with some fruit and a beer or two is quite a treat. Its a great place to become that marathoner you always knew you were. Run this race!
A. M. from Ambler, Pa (3/20/2005) "Smallish race with a laid back post-race" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 All in all, I had fun a lot of fun at this race and would run it again. It had a nice expo (especially good for a marathon this small), flat/reasonably fast course, good spectator turnout given the marathon's size, and a very enjoyable post-race. My favorite memory from the race weekend was lying on the sand after finishing, talking with some other runners, and relaxing with a free beer or two. Given the unpredictability of Virginia Beach's weather, we got really lucky on the weather and had a perfect day for running (mid 40's->mid 50's by race end and NO WIND). My only complaint about the race was the size of the drink cups at the water stops. For some reason, the race used smallish Dixie cups instead of the usual twelve ounce cups. While that may sound trivial, it meant that you had to drink twice as many cups of fluid in order to remain hydrated. Maybe the RD figured on that because it seemed like there twice as many water stops (one every mile or so -vs- one every 2.5 miles) as the other marathons I've run, so I guess it ended up as a wash.
T. T. from Easton, PA (3/20/2005) "Nice course, good weather." (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Weather conditions were perfect. Great race. Between miles 3 and 7, you are going uphill slightly along Route 60W and then a hill between 17 and 18. The rest of the course is flat. Enjoy.
David Trevino from Arlington, VA (3/20/2005) "Nice Marathon" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my 2nd time running this event, and I preferred this course over last year's. Starting at 30th street, and ending on 31st (on the broadwalk) were key points in having a good start and a strong finish. I can't speak for other runners but mentally the start point help me prepare for a comfortable start, and the home stretch on the broadwalk help me finished strong. I had a great time, and would recommend this race to other runners looking for good race in March. Also, the weather was great! See you next year.
T. M. from Vienna, VA (3/19/2005) "Very nice experience" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The weather was cool and brisk at the start and soon warmed up, and there was low humidity. The course is flat (except for a 50-foot hill at mile 18) and has good views of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesepeake Bay, finishing on the boardwalk. The crowds were modest but enthusiastic. The course was well-marked and organized.
S. A. from Virginia, US (6/24/2004) "Fun, fast, and very worthwhile" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Shamrock was my first 'small' marathon and I found it to be a very well-organized and friendly. The course is very flat, fast, and overall, very pleasant. Great crowd support, especially for a smaller race. The best parts of the course, in my opinion, are the two stretches on the boardwalk: it's invigorating during the first few miles and on the way back in, the view is a pleasant distraction from whatever discomfort you're feeling. A weekend on the beach + a nice course + free post-race beer = a great spring marathon.
G. K. from Chicago, IL (4/30/2004) "Great marathon overall" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I would highly recommend this marathon. It was flat, scenic, well run and the weather was good to boot. I am not a big eater after a marathon, so I did not notice a problem. A bagel and a banana were all I could stomach (although I did manage to get down a beer or two). Staying at the host hotel was wonderful. The start/finish line were right outside the front door. And the post-race party on Saturday night was the best I have ever attended.
J. P. from Midwest (3/26/2004) "Enjoyable spring marathon" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my 10th marathon. The Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon is one to add to your list of 'to do' marathons. Perfect number of participants in my book. We stayed at the Double Tree Hotel next to the start/finish line. Good accommodations and very convenient. The course is an out and back. Personally I didn't care for running miles and miles on the concrete boardwalk but what marathon course doesn't have some spots on it that are less than desirable. The course and water stop volunteers did a terrific job in my book. Very enthusiastic and worked real hard to make it a fun day. My only suggestion for improvement would be to make the mile markers larger or tie a balloon to them. They were real small and I missed a couple. Many had fallen over due to the wind and some were just simply not placed were they could be seen by anyone. The post-race food was a let down. There really wasn't any except for some bananas. They did have post-race beer which is always welcome. There's nothing like an ice cold beer or Coke after a marathon.

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 18 19 20 21 22 .. 24 > ]

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