Shamrock weekend has always been legendary, but 2023 is Gonna Be Epic!  The 51st running of the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend will take place in Virginia Beach, Virginia on March 17-19, 2023.  This St. Paddy’s Day tradition has a race distance for every goal: Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K, and challenges. No matter the distance, you’ll experience the best of Coastal Virginia on our flat, fast, and scenic course before you cross the finish line overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The party continues after the race at our post race celebration on the beach with Yuengling Beer, Murphy’s Irish Stew, and Live Music.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, March 17, 2023

12:00 - 9:00PM: Sports & Fitness Expo

Pick up your race packet (race bib and participant shirt) at the Shamrock Sports & Fitness Expo located at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The expo includes packet pickup, the official Shamrock retail store, sports-minded vendors, and St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Location: Virginia Beach Convention Center

Saturday, March 18, 2023

7:30am - 8K Start

Location: 30th Street & Pacific Avenue

8:00am - 12:30pm - Post Race Celebration

Location: on the beach at 28th Street

10:30am - Leprechaun Dash Start

Location: 31st Street on the Boardwalk

11:00am - Final Mile Start

Location: 31st Street & Atlantic Avenue

12:00 - 5:00pm - Sports & Fitness Expo

Location: Virginia Beach Convention Center

Course Information:

8K

Expect thousands of spectators to cheer you on throughout this scenic course in the heart of the  Virginia Beach resort area. The TowneBank Shamrock 8K finishes on the world famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk, just past the majestic figure of King Neptune, and with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. A Shamrockin’ post-race party on the beach awaits all finishers and guests.

Click Here for 8k Course Map

Final Mile

The Operation Smile Shamrock Final Mile is the culmination of an ongoing running and walking program for elementary aged children which promotes lifelong fitness and combats childhood obesity. Children participating in the Final Mile run at school and at home in the weeks preceding the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend to accumulate 25.2 total miles. They then run the “final mile” of their 26.2 mile marathon on race day, crossing the same finish line that will welcome the Shamrock marathoners the following day. Many children also raise money for the event’s title sponsor, Operation Smile, making it possible for children just like themselves to receive new smiles and to live happier and healthier lives. These young fundraisers learn at an early age the rewards of helping others.

All Final Milers receive a time for their one mile run, but there are no awards given in an effort to keep the emphasis on fitness and fun, not competition. All finishers receive a unique, commemorative medal. School pride is evident throughout event weekend, and the energy, spirit, and enthusiasm displayed by every Final Miler is inspirational–and contagious! Prizes are awarded to the school with the highest percentage of participants and to the school representatives voted the “Silliest Shamrock” by the students themselves.

Click Here for Final Mile Course Map

Leprechaun Dash

The Leprechaun Dash (formerly known as the Children’s Marathon) is for our youngest athletes, ages 6 months to 5 years old! These participants get to experience the excitement of race day as they line up on the boardwalk near King Neptune’s Park at 31st Street. The children are started in waves by age. At the end of their 26.2 yard run, these marathoners cross the main Shamrock finish line to the cheers of an adoring crowd, where a special finisher’s medal awaits them. All participants also receive a T-shirt and goody bag!

Click Here for Registration

Sunday, March 19, 2023

7:30am - Half Marathon & Marathon Start

Location: 42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue

8:30am - 4:00pm - Post Race Celebration

Location: on the beach at 28th Street

Course Information:

Marathon

Marathoners begin by heading north from the Virginia Beach resort area through welcoming neighborhoods. The course then traverses tree-lined Shore Drive as it winds along First Landing State Park on its way to Joint Expeditionary Base, Ft. Story. In Ft. Story participants will pass by the site where John Smith, Christopher Newport, John Rolfe and the other Jamestown colonists first landed in America in 1607, and by Cape Henry Lighthouse–the oldest standing lighthouse in the United States. The course then heads south into the resort area, across Rudee Inlet–the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean–and through stately neighborhoods and the Camp Pendleton military base. Participants return north before finishing on the world famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk.  The finish line awaits you just past the majestic figure of King Neptune with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.

Click Here for Marathon Course Map

Half Marathon

The half marathon loop course takes you north from the Virginia Beach resort area past welcoming neighborhoods. The course then traverses tree-lined Shore Drive as it winds along First Landing State Park on its way to Joint Expeditionary Base, Ft. Story. In Ft. Story participants will pass by the site where John Smith, Christopher Newport, John Rolfe and the other Jamestown colonists first landed in America in 1607, and by Cape Henry Lighthouse–the oldest standing lighthouse in the United States. The course then heads south again for a finish on the world famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk, just past the majestic figure of King Neptune, with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. A Shamrockin’ post-race party on the beach awaits all finishers and guests.

Click Here for Half Marathon Course Map

Click Here for Registration

Date: March 17 - 19, 2023

Click here for more information.