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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 71 to 81]

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D. W. from Mesa Arizona (6/29/2009) "The "whole town was involved" marathon" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The best post party ever. This is my 21st and it had the best post party. After all of that running, everyone was all smiles. There were no grumps!!!
Nick Fellers from Columbus, Ohio (6/29/2009) "Nothing like running for beer!" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, and I have done others since. I did not expect the long stretches of running through military bases and roads that would be without people/spectators. Miles 18-23 were quite the mind game. :) All that being said, I would trade a few lonely miles for a killer beer garden at the finish line... on the beach... thanks to Yuengling! Really great expo. Plenty of lodging at or around start/finish line. We booked at the last minute and had the impression that everything was sold out. It wasn't. This race takes place pre-beach season by a few weeks. You should not have to stay more than .5 miles away from the start/finish, so call around.
A. F. from Bethlehem, PA (4/6/2009) "LOVED Shamrock!!" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My second marathon, and so far my favorite. What a beautiful day!! The course is so flat, with one "hill," if you can call it that. Volunteers are amazing and the expo was awesome. I got some nice gear there... and I loved the shirt and medal. After the marathon was a nice party on the beach... beer, food and lots of fun. I was most excited because I took 41 minutes off of my last marathon - my first was 4:52 and this time hit 4:11!!! Pace groups are awesome at this race and they really do their job - take advantage if trying to hit a certain time. You run through and army base and everyone is out screaming for you - I almost started crying because of the emotional experience. It was incredible... and you actually get to go on the base! I have plans to do marathons all over, but I would DEFINITELY consider this one again.
d. o. from minneapolis, mn (4/4/2009) "Great for the first-time marathoner" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I came to VA Beach by myself from Minneapolis, MN. This was my first marathon and I knew beforehand that it would be flat. The weather was great for me (36 degrees to begin the race) since I had trained in sub-zero weather during the winter. The support was great and since there weren't a huge number of runners (around 3,000, with 2,555 finishers) it made for an intimate course. I ran it in 3:44:32. The four free beer tickets were great, and they gave me four more tickets free when I finished my beers.
T. R. from Grandview Heights, OH (4/2/2009) "Flat course and a definite place for a BQ" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Marathon #13 and my 2nd consecutive Shamrock: I picked this race as what I thought was to be a training run for London, but turned out to be a monster PR for me (by 31 minutes). It's a flat course for sure, with only a bridge that you cross twice as the only major elevation change (at 3 and before 10). It was a perfect day to run with low temps and little to no wind. A few folks have mentioned how boring it was for them from 15-19, but I really liked the nice change from the boardwalk to the solitude of Shore Drive. The expo was great and very easy to navigate. I probably spent 15 minutes there and walked through all of the booths. Post-race food of Irish stew and Yuengling was great! Unfortunately I dropped 3 of my beer tickets! A recommendation is to find a hotel close to the start/finish line. I was about a mile from the start and half a mile from the finish, and it was absolutely perfect! All in all, this is a great smaller race (2,600 finishers in the marathon) and one I'd recommend to anyone who's looking for a PR or a BQ, or both!
J. R. from Sutton, MA (3/30/2009) "A fun, enjoyable marathon experience" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The one thing that I was worried about before entering this race was a nasty sea breeze, but it ended up being nearly perfect out. This could not be said for the 8K the day before when it was really blowing! The course is flat with a couple of very slight inclines, plus going on the bridge twice. There is a good mix of everything, including the boardwalk, two military camps, the Virginia Aquarium, and a nice stretch of woods. Water stops are plentiful and the spectators are great, cheering for you by name as they put it on your number. This is my second marathon and I was happy to take a huge chunk off my time, going from 3:57 last year to 3:21 here in Virginia Beach.
M. M. from New York, NY (3/27/2009) "Awesome!" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great race! I PR'ed by 4 minutes. We lucked out with amazing weather - high 40's and not much wind. A little too sunny, but it was cool enough to not worry about it. My favorite stretch was actually miles 16-19 when we ran in the shade and there weren't any spectators. Felt very calm to me. The other parts of the race had great support! Fast course. I only ran into the half-marathoners the last 2 miles, but they were walking and not in my way at all (I ran a 3:17).
J. O. from Virginia Beach, VA (3/26/2009) "Great Marathon Experience" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Shamrock Sportsfest Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the fourth straight year I have done Shamrock and must say that this is a great marathon. The course is pancake flat and well marked, with fully stocked aid stops and awesome volunteers. The finish line area is well organized; the only thing I would want is a little more to eat in the bag than a cookie and a banana! Kudos on the reusable goody bags and lunch bags at the end. If you need spectators to keep you going, there are a few, but don't expect a lot, especially from miles 16 to 21. Whether you are a veteran marathoner or a first-timer, this race caters to all.
C. O. from Southern California (3/26/2009) "Great race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 19th marathon and I loved the Shamrock. I had heard good and bad, so I was skeptical. After horrible, cold, windy weather the two days prior, we were worried; but you couldn't ask for better weather! It was in the low 30s at the start and low 50s at the finish. Minimal wind, except Fort Story. Shirts are nice, and the expo was small. I love the finisher's hat. MisseI m the stew and beer, but that was okay by me (this was my fault, as I just didn't find it). I cannot recommend enough to stay near the start. We were 1 block from the start and it was heaven to stay in our room until 15 minutes prior to the start. The walk division was well monitored. The course is flat and fast, and my husband PR'd.
t. k. from cincinnati,ohio (3/26/2009) "A well organized race with no unpleasantness" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race was well run and the expo was nicely done. The folks around me were friendly and the course was flat, with nice views of the ocean, etc. My only complaint was the Springgate Marriot wanting me out by noon - four hours after the start of the race. So check the grace period before you decide which hotel to stay in for this race. I would strongly recommend this race!

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