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May 5, 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 61 to 71]

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C. H. from New York (3/23/2010) "8 am start time?? Really??" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I'll start by saying that this is a fantastic marathon. For a first timer, for a veteran, for anybody. The course is kind to the runner...if it's not sunny, windy, 65-70 degrees outside and doesn't start at 8 am. The weather forecast for the race predicted warm weather, possibly in the 70's. Knowing that, it's beyond me that the race directors did not alter the start time for the marathon (8 am) even though the start time for the HALF marathon was 7 AM. I understand the traffic problems that could be created with coinciding start times. My suggestion would be to create two lanes. I realize runner traffic would then become an issue but would you rather have a traffic problem or a heat problem because of a late start time? Seems like a no brainer: start the race earlier and avoid an over-crowded med tent at the end and a bunch of 'DNF's' in the results' page the next morning. By mile 21, the heat hit me and my quest for a sub 3 hour marathon went out the window. It was a disappointing finish to a nice race with nice volunteers (except for the 2 who were SMOKING in the information booth at 7:30 am. That'll really pump you up before a race), a nice course and a great post race party. So the bottom line is: would I do this race again? Sure. If it started earlier.
R. C. from Maine (3/23/2010) "Our Favorite Marathon out of 9 Run" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organizers of this marathon demonstrated their experience, knowledge and concern for the runner with every detail. 1. Flat scenic course. 2. great long sleeve technical shirt + a hat, finisher's shirt and medal 3. good expo with entertainment 4. great support on the course ( 2 gu stations, lots of water stops, lots of porta potties,joke posters, disc jockies blasting music 5. convenient and well run start and finish easy walking distance to lots of hotels 6. Lots of fantastic, enthusiastic, kind and patient volunteers 7.this weekend is all about family running events and the organizers go out of their way to make it easy and fun
J. O. from Virginia Beach, VA (3/23/2010) "Well organized race with some very minor pitfalls." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is the 6th time I have run the full marathon here in Virginia Beach (and probably 40 overall), so I hope my comments carry a little more weight here. The race is owned by two runners and athletes, so they know what runners want. This is an extremely well organized race. Packet pick up is easy and quick. The expo is fine, lets be real, if you have been to one, you have been to them all! Race day parking is an issue for the FULL marathoners, as each year, the half (which starts an hour earlier at 7 am) gets bigger. 8,500 half marathoners plus their support people/spectators means that if you are looking for parking for the full, you are going to be parking about a mile or more away. Personally I don't mind as it helps to walk AFTER the race! The races start on time and you will get a flat, well marked course. Expect clocks every few miles, with them being more consistent towards the end. At the water stops/aid stations (Gel), expect them to be fully stocked and fully staffed. I have NEVER seen them run out of water or not have cups always ready! The weather, of course, is the wildcard. I have run it in 35 degrees and 30 mph headwinds. I have run it in 70 degrees with no wind. It's the weather in March in the Mid-Atlantic. You just never know...I always say, just show up and run! Do not expect a lot of spectators, as the race is run near the Oceanfront and passes thru a lot of non-residential areas. You won't see much on the Oceanfront for the start or on the military bases you run thru. Post race & 'schwag' is fantastic...You get a nice long sleeve Brooks tech shirt (design this year was hideous, I thought), a reusable cloth bag and at the finish you get a huge medal, a finishers hat and shirt (long sleeve cotton, which I love). The post race party is great...The stew is nice, and free beer (although I don't drink). If its warm outside, people just hang out on the beach after the race for hours.
Eddy Nolan from MONTREAL, CANADA (3/23/2010) "Great Week-end" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Again,The staff and organizers of this great event did a splendid job.This is why my friends and I drive 16 hours. I must say ,this is my 4th Shamrock and was definitely the toughest.The heat was a factor,very hot for this time of the year,I wish the Marathon would start before the half, reverse the starting times.Anyway, I got to see the sun rise Sat. and Sun. over the ocean which was spectacular and we all had a terrific week-end. I was wondering why there were no results posted on the back wall like last year? Thank You all for an overall Great Week-end. Hope to see you all next year. Cheers!!
b. b. from Midwest (3/22/2010) "It was well worth it" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is my second Shamrock. It is one of the best races I've done. There is much value for the registration fee: tech shirt, finisher's hat, finisher's t-shirt, fantastic medal, well stocked aid stations, good course, good expo, and fun post-race party. For those needing crowd support, please realize that this is not Chicago or New York. There are not constant crowds, but good crowd support from about mile 1 to 14 and from about mile 23 to the end. I have no complaints about this marathon. I think anyone will enjoy it - whether a first-timer or an experienced marathoner.
D. W. from Locust Grove, VA (3/22/2010) "Great race for RUNNERS." (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Marathon is a GREAT EVENT for RUNNERS! It is an extremely well run/well organized race that has a lot of fun character to go with it. It is the perfect size, course, and weather (usually) for a great finishing time. Most of the hoopla seems to be for the half marathon (VERY fun having run that before), but the marathon is great for a serious day of running. I love this event overall! Pros: Price, Location, Expo, Course, # of Participants, Weather, Course Logistics, Volunteers Cons: Quiet race for the most part in terms of spectators (Pro for some people),Forces one to train through the winter (Pro for some people)
Sid Busch from Charleston SC (3/22/2010) "RUNNING OF THE GREEN" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This event is always first-class, and for this year, there was even warm weather. It was at least 40 degrees warmer then in '09. I ran the DOLPHIN CHALLENGE this year - the 8K on Saturday and the half on Sunday. The support was great, and the signs between miles 4 and 6 had a lot of us laughing. At the finish you get a medal, a hat, and this year, a finisher's shirt - as well as lots of food. I highly recommend this event.
Eddy Nolan from MONTREAL, CANADA (3/1/2010) "Being of Irish Descent, I Love this Marathon" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've run 52 marathons. I ran the Shamrock 3 times now. Everything about this race is first class; this is the reason I drive 16 hours from Montreal, Canada. The 2009 edition was perfect - the weather could not have been better. The people and volunteers are extremely friendly, which helps a lot. From the start to the finish, I love it all! this year, 4 more friends will travel with me and run. Can't wait to get there!!
T. P. from North Carolina, USA (10/15/2009) "First marathon, wonderful race, friendly people!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I ran 3:00:21. I loved the course; it was flat and fast. It was not windy this year when I ran it, but I've heard others say it was in the past. The crowd support was great for the first 13.1 miles, but then it fell off while out by Fort Story and the Cape Henry Lighthouse. It was dead out there, but the crowds were great as I neared the waterfront and boardwalk area for the finish. The expo was organized, the people were very helpful and friendly, the shirts were awesome, the Irish stew at the finish line was very tasty, and the weather was perfect.
W. Y. from Kentucky (9/22/2009) "Flat, Fast, & Made for PRs" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Awesome, well organized race. I loved the boardwalk finish, but it's deceptively long once from the point where you get on the boardwalk to the finish (King Neptune).

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