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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 211 to 221]
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P. F. from Maryland
(3/21/2004)
 "Good Race- Needs some tweaks" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 A Plus: 1. Nice flat course conducive for PR 2. Scenic course that runs along entire boardwalk (concrete)for 3 miles 3. Organization for race is good (see comments below) 4.Can find decent hotels- stayed at a Courtyard Marriott- ocean view- 2 rm suite for the price of a reg. room at a lot of other races (offseason) 5. Nice finish area- great fans along the way 6. Nice shirt and medal. I heard complaints about shirts in the past, but I liked it. Small thing Cons: 1. Wind was tough- I heard up to 25 mph. Can't change mother nature but makes a PR a lot tougher. 2. Miles 11-18 in Fort Story are incredible boring and mentally tough- not to mention the severe slope in the road (felt like a banked turn on an indoor track) Also, it was not fun competing with cars and trucks for the 2 lanes available out and back in the fort. It would be great if this part of the course could at least be shortened- possibly find a loop through residential area?? - some of them looked beautiful 3. Fan support was great, but it does get real quiet out there on the North side of course. 4. Now about the food- after many years of reading others complain, this has not been addressed. I finished in a decent time and the only things available were orange wedges and bananas. If there was something else besides beer, it was gone fast. This is a joke. If it is a financial thing, then the organizers should up the entry fee $3-5 and give the runners what they need after 26.2 miles- bagels, yogurt, cereal- anything. This is without the doubt the worst post-race spread I've seen. There is better and more food at a 5K fun run. I was thinking about going to the post-race party but it was clear to me after this seeing this spread that it would be better to hit the town- and it was!! All in all, I would run again because it is in Va Bch, easy to get to, and a fun place to be- just BYOF | |
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j. s. from Oak Forest, IL
(3/21/2004)
 "Excellent middle size race" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 State # 17, #22 Ultra/ Marathon Let me start with the downsides: Pre race dinner $20, too much Mile makers off at times leaving Ft. Story. Some H20 stops not well organized people only holding 1 cup, if running in pack they ran out and you had too wait or grab your own, seems critical, however other stops were works of art. Post race food very limited need more selection of fruits add cookies yogurt powerbars etc... Good points: Pre-race expo had everything you needed. Flat out and back course some along the beach, quick course, however wind my slow you down. Great website and dicussion board was very neat. Excellent long shelve t-sirt and nice medal. Race Directors and their teams did a very good job. Lots of port of johns Overall very good job GRADE: B+/A- | |
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Ryan Nied from Stamford, CT
(3/21/2004)
 "Fast, flat, fun, festive... Thumbs up!" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 For my 4th marathon, I was looking for a new race for me that would be flat, fun, festive and have a large enough field to draw some good fan support. This race was an excellent choice. I truly had a fun time. The spectator support was very strong, and the organization was great. Local police were everywhere to ensure traffic was detoured properly -- they shut down major roads in the VA Beach area. The DJ's blaring music at several points were a boost. Water breaks were plentiful. I'll delicately say that I was overcome with the need to take an unplanned restroom visit, and the organizers saved me by providing johns at every water stop. Pre-race expo was well organized, and you could buy all the overpriced running gear that your little heart desires. The course itself is virtually flat, which was a welcome change of pace for me. Only downside is that it is of the 'out and back' variety. Course was a bit desolate at miles 8-11 (and 18-22, since it is the same stretch), as it essentially is on a closed divided highway, but most other streches were well-supported. Headwind along the shoreline was brutal at miles 23-25, but it was the one course element that really brought challenge to the race. Sun and temps mostly in the 40's to low 50's throughout the morning made for great conditions. Post-race party at cost of $10 for all was a really nice touch, considering Bud was free-flowing and a good band was playing great live tunes. Oh yeah, T-Shirts are nice, too. Overall, I strongly recommend this race for the runner looking to achieve a PR (I did, even with a john stop!) and to let loose and have some fun. I drove 800 miles roundtrip and it was worth it. Thumbs up for the Shamrock. | |
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S. C. from Richmond, VA
(3/21/2004)
"Well organized but not well supported." (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my second marathon. First of all, Kudos to the organizers. Too bad the City of VA Beach does not support this event better. I was looking for a PR and got it. However, I found the course incredibly boring. Total lack of spectators for miles at a time and really tough headwinds in the last 5 miles. The organization was first rate. Registration was easy, decent expo and it started right on time. | |
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H. E. from NC, USA
(4/16/2003)
 "Great Race!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon and I was a little worried about running a small one Disney being my first. The weather was perfect with barely any wind. Just as the other comments, volunteers were wonderful! They really made the whole event exciting. The runners were freindly, I met a few people along the way. I actually crossed the finish line with a smile still on my face. The shirt, well could have been better. I will save this to only wear to the gym (although I have seen a few people in my home town with the shirt on). I will definitely run this race again. Much more exciting than Disney, if you can believe that! | |
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C. C. from Jacksonville N.C.
(4/5/2003)
"Great Race!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race. The weather was perfect. The volunteers at the aid station were very helpfull and friendly. The course was nice. Being able to pick up your packet on race day is a lifesaver. The runners were great also. I talked to some very nice people on the journey to the finish line. The medal was very colorfull and nice. Good job to everyone. I will run this one again. | |
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A. K. from Atlanta, GA
(3/20/2003)
"good race for PR" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Very well organized with enthusiastic volunteers. Yeah, the shirt wasn't great, but it's not like I needed another one, so I don't really mind. Couldn't have asked for better weather, either and the course was flat and FAST. I'd like to do this one again next year. | |
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Joe Mid-packer from South Carolina
(3/17/2003)
"PR course; Good aid stations" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This marathon was not my first choice but I was not disappointed with it, either. It was my third marathon and the first time I broke four hours. Other than shopping, there was nothing else to see or do at the expo. The long-sleeved T-shirt was pretty busy with gaudy graphics and numerous sponsors, not something I will wear often (straight to the t-shirt quilt?). You have to find your own carbo-loading dinner. I found 'The Italian Cafe' at 1630 General Boothe Blvd., about five miles away. Good pasta and nice atmosphere for under $10. I shared a hotel room at the Doubletree for $70 apiece and only a hundred yards from the start and finish. You won?t find a closer hotel. The weather was friendly, high 30s F at the start and about 50 F at noon. Breezy and very sunny at times. There were some spectators and a few DJ?s making some amusing chatter. The run through Fort Story (10-18 miles) was kind of dull, though. My favorite section was from 8-10 & 18-20 miles, out of the sun and off the city streets. It was a quiet, shaded, wooded section many runners used for a potty stop, which brings me to my next point. I think there should be more port-a-johns on the course. There were plenty of well-placed aid stations and the volunteers were well coached. The last two hundred yards of the finish were exciting. The variety of after race refreshments was pretty sparse. If you are looking for rock band, sidewalks full of spectators, dazzling scenery, smorgasbords, or hand holding, you probably will not like this race. But if you want a safe, fast course with good aid stations, this is a great race for you to set a personal record or qualify for Boston. Also, the accompanying 8K is highly competitive. | |
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M. F. from Wayne, NJ
(3/17/2003)
"Excellent marathoning experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The warm weather caught me off guard, especially since I did almost all of my long runs in sub-20 degree weather, but the experience at Shamrock far outweighed my problems coping with the heat. The course was remarkably fast, especially in the first half, which may lull one into starting out a bit harder than one should. Also, beware of miles 11-14 where the wind is in your face, and 21-25 where the streets are numbered - which tempts you to count down your pain in the latter moments of the race. The volunteers were numerous and enthusiatic. They really made this race quite enjoyable. The aid stations were well-stocked with water, Gatorade, bananas, oranges, pretzels, gu, and even porta-potties. They made the food at the finish look paltry by comparison. Besides the volunteers, a lot of spectators turned out in pockets along the course from 0-8 and 21-25, but not much more than that. The T-shirt for the marathon paled in comparison to that of the accompanying 8K, but the finishers medal was a handpainted shamrock. Really nice. This is definitely one I'll do again. Amy and Jerry Frostick really know how to put on a good marathon. | |
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A Runner from Middleteown, New Jersey
(11/22/2002)
"Awesome" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I came to Shamrock Marathon as my first and only marathon. I trained in New Jersey and never thought I could complete this distance. Yea it was hot from anyone who has dealed with cold and wet all winter it was welcomed especially for my friends and family who attended to cheer me on. The big things runners should be concerned about is that there was plenty of water and support on the course. I will always remember this race. Thanks for your support Shamrock!!! |
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