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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 21 to 31]
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A. T. from Arlington, VA
(3/17/2014)
 "Great race, great organization, great time!" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I just ran this Shamrock Marathon yesterday and it was a great experience! The course is mainly flat with the exception of the out and back going on the bridge/ramp during the first half of the course. Great to see plenty of DJ's and spectators along the way in Virginia Beach, especially along Atlantic Ave., the boardwalk, and en route/inside Camp Pendleton. The Shore Drive portion of the race was quiet, but nice and wide open. Hardest part by far was the 3-mile stretch inside Joint Expeditionary Base East. The wind really started whipping there and not as much support (which would have been nice considering that's miles 19-22). All that said, it's a great flat course, a fun and run and definitely one where you can PR. Post-run party was great! The Irish Stew hit the spot for post-run fuel and always refreshing to get a post-run beer in your system! Plenty of hotels in the area close to the start and expo and all are reasonably priced too. I'd definitely consider coming back to Va. Beach again for Shamrock! | |
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Mike Tapper from Minneapolis
(3/16/2014)
"Great race - recommend" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Overall: This is a well organized race, with a great expo, great bling, flat course and decent crowd support. Course: Flat, ocean front for about 5m. Crowd support was in spurts, but when they were there - they were loud! VA Beach is a windy place, but they did a good job of altering the direction of the course so there is not any extended periods with a head wind. Plenty of tail wind also! Race Org: Great expo. Plenty of water stops and more food/gu handouts than I am used to. Great bling ... race medal is very nice as is the long-sleeve tech shirt, plus I got a hat & bath towel. At the finish, Yuengling and plenty of food. Race start was 8:30am, which I felt was nice. Constructive feedback: Parking is an issue in VA Beach ... not enough of it and expensive. I arrived 1.5 hours before the start and had to park 1m away (and pay $20). Implementing a shuttle system would help. | |
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D. G. from Cranston, RI
(5/29/2013)
 "Great Race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Can't say much more than what's already been said. Course was nice, spectators were a little lacking but those that were there were pretty enthusiastic. Plenty of AFFORDABLE hotels within WALKING distance of start/finish. Tremendous organization...great expo/swag. One of the best post race parties! | |
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C. K. from Phoenix, AZ
(3/30/2013)
 "Awesome race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great swag (4 free beers, Irish stew, party tent, real blanket), nice race course, great spectators (beer at various locations), scenic route (lighthouses, First Landing), large medal, and post-race party tent on the beach. This is a mostly flat course and very runner friendly. The weather is always an unknown, and although the wind was not friendly, it was only a factor for a portion of the race. | |
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A. M. from Ecuador
(3/29/2013)
"NICE!!!" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is only my 2nd Marathon, and therefore I really cannot give a sound opinion on technicalities. However, I must say that it was not difficult to keep a very regular pace, with an average of 5 seconds difference per mile, which I imagine reflects a very flat course. I really enjoyed my 3h46'15' journey. | |
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S. T. from Atlanta
(3/22/2013)
"Great race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Excellent organization and great swag. I had no idea that VA would be so cold with wind chill right above freezing. The wind off the beach made an otherwise flat course challenging. On a sunny day the course would be very enjoyable with ocean views. There are plenty of hotels within walking distance too and we walked two miles to the expo. As stated, the finishers blanket was very welcome and that, the shirt and hat are all good quality. The city of VA Beach basically shuts down in the morning on Saturday for the shorter races and most of Sunday for the longer ones do plan accordingly as you won't be able to move your car from most hotels on the beachfront. Shamrock on! | |
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M. S. from Palm Harbor, FL
(3/22/2013)
"Exceeded my expectations!" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We have run so many beach city marathons in the last few years, I expected this one to be same old stuff, but this one was different. Other than the cool, cloudy weather (good for fast times anyway!), I have nothing negative to say. First, the course was flat (pedestrian bridges in Florida are bigger!); the spectators were more plentiful than most of the marathons I've run; the swag was plentiful (shirt, blanket, medal, calendar, food, beer, bands...); and the post-race party was a blast. We stayed on our feet a couple more hours after the race to enjoy the band and beer. Even though my wife and I both have Virginia now, I will be back. This was a great way to spend St Paddy's Day! | |
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M. N. from Lexington, KY
(3/20/2013)
"Great, Top Notch Event" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great event and well worth travel to attend. Other race organizers should take notes (I'm talking to you NIke and Rock-n-Roll)! The event is well organized from the start to finish with plenty of well-stocked water stops, gels, and a nice flat course. It also has the best after-party I have ever attended 4 real cups of Yuengling beer, a great band, and terrific beef soup! I had a blast. You also get a finishers hat and this year we got super-useful and cool fleece blankets. Be aware that it can be chilly and the wind is harsh at times, but that is the nature of the location. Fabulous event, fabulous time, would do it again! | |
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S. M. from Ottawa, ON
(3/20/2013)
 "My 43rd Marathon!!!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I really wished more Canadian race directors came to this marathon. It was great! Here are my comments: 1. The party on the beach afterwards was amazing!! Great food (plenty for late finishers), free beer, great bands and the party atmosphere was a great way to finish the race. 2. The shirt. Long sleeves, good colour pattern. Well done. 3. Race kit pickup - I wish Cdn. architects designed convention centres like the ones in VA. A work of art. 4. The course - I liked running by the Ocean. The strong winds were a problem but I prefer it to the Atlantic City Marathon. Dislikes: More porta potties. Some mile markers had only 1! Also, more toilet paper in them as well. Overall well worth the 13 hour drive from Ottawa (one way!). Sanjay | |
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J. H. from Virginia Beach, VA
(3/19/2013)
"Well Organized Event" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I recommend this race for a spring marathon on the East Coast. Weather is an uncontrollable factor, and the weather was less than perfect in 2013. J&A Racing puts on a first class event, and you will not be disappointed by chosing this race. Positives: - Flat course - Well stocked drink/aid stations - Family friendly - Finish on boardwalk - Finish festival inside tent on beach (live band and beer available) - Overall value (long sleeve athletic shirt, nice running hat, finishing medal and finishing throw blanket) Negatives: - Carb boom energy gel (personally not a fan of the flavors I recommend carrying your own) - Road conditions on Atlantic Avenue (numerous spots where roads have: potholes and patches) - Little to no fanfare from 16 - 22 miles - Irish Stew at the finish festival(stomach desires something else) - Expo lacked the feel of a top notch event (seemed a little small and did not have a bunch of vendors or other race booths) |
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