May 4, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 231 to 239]
|
A Runner from Duck, North Carolina
(4/13/2001)
 "Good for a PR!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 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. | |
|
A Runner from Wilmington, Delaware
(4/9/2001)
"Always running on a slope" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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. | |
|
SCOTT from VA BCH VA
(3/23/2001)
"my 1st marathon; great feeling!" (about: 1998)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 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!!! | |
|
A Runner from Raleigh, NC
(3/23/2001)
 "Middle of the Road" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course is fast and flat, but except for two enjoyable oceanfront stretches on the boardwalk, it's fairly boring. The race is well-organized overall, but annoyingly, some stations late in the race had water but no gatorade. And no Chip timing?! The fans that were out there were great -- really supportive -- but there ain't a whole lot of 'em. All in all, a decent 'small' marathon that I'm glad I did, but not sure I'd do again. | |
|
A Runner from Chapel Hill, NC
(3/19/2001)
 "Awesome flat course" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course is flat as can be. It is very well organized with a great expo the day before. There were numerous water stations along the way, however nowhere on the course did anyone have any vaseline. Fans were great and made the race much more enjoyable. Although there was a stretch from mile 16 to mile 21 that felt long because of lack of fans. I believe that it was inaccessible due to the fact that the course was run through an army base. | |
|
John Thomas from Brookville, Pennsylvania
(3/19/2001)
 "A great course for a first-time marathoner!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The weather cooperated wonderfully -- sunshine and cool. This was my first marathon (age 51, post-heart attack). Its a nice, flat course. There is one incline between mile markers 8 and 12 or so, but only of one or two degrees. Living in northwestern Pennsylvania where we have lots of snow and ice all winter, I had to do most of my training indoors -- but did not feel disadvantaged. I finished under four hours, which was the goal I'd trained for. The support for this race was outstanding, the spectators enthusiastic. I'll be back next year! | |
|
A Runner from Oakton, VA
(3/18/2001)
"Delightful beach festival" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The race itself is excellent, always tidewater flat, starting at the town's mammoth expo center, looping street-side and (concrete) boardwalk-side of the hotels, heading 60 blocks or so out of town, foraying deep into the Army's Ft. Story, then retracing all but the hotel loop back to a dramatic finish inside the expo center. There are hundreds of townsfolk cheering along the way. This year, the start was cool but the finish was sunny and warm. The only downer was that the water stations ran out of Gatorade and energy food by midcourse, leaving only water for the last 13.1 miles. Mercifully, the sponsor, Bud Light, had ample samples at the finish! I'll be back for this festival. | |
|
A Runner from Larissa, Greece (Military)
(2/24/2001)
"Scenic, flat, fast, occasionally windy." (about: 1997)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a scenic course that passes by the oldest 'federally funded light house' in the US (dating to 1788); while it passes through the US Army Base, Fort Story. During a portion of the course you will run on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, and along the border of a 600 acre forested park that dates to Colonial times. Typical of marathons close to the ocean, there are a few 2-3 mile sections that are 'open,' and subject to wind gusts. The 'indoor finish' (complete with red carpet and over-head clock) takes place in the VA Beach Colliseum and the applauding spectators are inspiring. After the race free beer is offered in conjunction with 'Shamrock' activities. The race also holds an excellent expo the day prior to the marathon. | |
|
A Runner from chicago
(11/16/2000)
"flat and fast" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course is flat as a pancake and fast. Good scenery just before you hit the army base. Great expo. lots of refreshments after race. I would run this again. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
