Anybody done the Shamrock Marathon in VA Beach?

ht001

Curious whether any of you east coast peeps have done the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach? I have been wishy-washy on a spring race, tossing around thoughts about Charlottesville in April or Ft. Collins(here in CO) in May. After today I'm kind of leaning toward Shamrock, but would love to hear from anyone in the Haus that's done it. Would also love input about lodging and restaurants if you have any.

TIA!

TracyWood

 O- I have not done Shamrock, but if foot is ok, and can run, thinking of the 1/2 marathon. I'll have more info on my foot on Thursday. My PT thinks they may advance me to an ankle brace from boot

My brother did Va beach rock n roll in past and enjoyed. Not sure if run by same group. I'll try to get scoop on where he stayed.

ht001

Thanks Tracy. That would be cool if you were there for the 1/2! I don't suppose the beach @ VA Beach is warm enough for hanging out and playing in March? Probably a bit chilly.

I'm really liking the timing of this on from a marathon training via the OS hack POV. A May 1 date would put a lot of time in between finishing the OS and the race. Not a major issue, but if I wrap up the OS with a marathon then I can start to transition into my trail/run specific training after a bit of recovery and down time, which I'll sorely need. I'd worry a bit about finishing the OS, really needing some downtime and transition time and then not getting back on the stick for another month. I'm sure I could do it, but I like the structure around the 20 week OS block heading into a race.

My logic above could be flawed, of course...so if anyone thinks I'd be better off with the latter scenario of a May 1 marathon because it would give me some recovery time from the OS, I'm open to that sort of discussion.

FWIW, I do have a time goal of 3:35 for whatever marathon I do in the spring before I head into run specific training. Current PR is a 3:41...that was at Denver in 2008...and I wore trail runners for a road marathon (they were the newest, most appealing pair to wear at the time...but they were a bit heavy)...

Nemo Brauch

Shamrock is a popular local race (both the half and the full). Typically chilly and windy, but flat as a pancake and not overcrowded, so unless the wind is really bad, it's pretty PR friendly. No- it certainly won't be warm enough to just hang at the beach (although you could come visit me instead

I'd be tempted to come up and race it if you are going to be there- so let me know what you decide. My plans were to run the local "Flying Pirate" Half Mary in April, but this would work out for my timing too.

Nemo Brauch

Oh- and Olivia, knowing you have connections to the DC area, have you considered the Nations Marathon? It's March 25, totally different course than MCM.

Paul Hough

I did the marathon more than 20 years ago as reflected by a 2:35 finish. Years before that, I set my still standing 8K PR at Shamrock. In 2008, I flew up with my son and did the 1/2. It's a quality production, the only caution is that March weather can be really variable that time of the year. It can be cold, hot, windy, and rainy, or maybe a combo of all 4 across the entire weekend. It can also be very nice. The couse is almost perfectly flat except for some slight hills on the north end. Great finishers photos with the King Neptune statue behind you as you come down the boardwalk. If you get a hotel on the beach, with a beach view, and stay just south of the finish, you can watch the 8K race finish from your balcony on Saturday morrning...very cool.

rah2774

The Shamrock is a friend of mine's favorite favorite race of the year - no joke.  One year he did the National Half on Sat then got in a car to drive to VA Beach to do Shamrock Sunday bc both were special to him (the National was our first half in preparation for our first full marathon).

This coming year is the first year that it's not the same weekend as National - so I promised him and his partner I'd go and see what all the fuss is about... I think he's sold on the post race tent with Irish Stew and Yuengling... seriously...

so, there's a 98% chance I'll be there if you go!

[Deleted User]

I'm signed up for the Half as well ..... now if only I could get rid of this ITB issue

carlymarie

Hi Olivia,

I did the Shamrock (dolphin challenge - 8K and half) this last spring; we had really great weather last spring for both races...I started the half (7:00am start - the full's at 8:00) with a long sleeve and took that off just a couple of miles in. The course is nice; really flat, with some minor hills (the half course is the second half of the marathon course - but I've done another race of their's that goes along the first half of the marathon course, really on that part you just have to watch out for minor rises in the road). J&A racing does a really nice job of organizing the race; lots of schwag (fitness backpack, tech shirt, hat at finish and surprise finisher item - this year it was a longsleeve shirt) and a fairly decent sized expo. Lots of good volunteers too. It was a fun race; I would definitely do it again.

I stayed with my sister - she's really nice, so if you want to stay at her place, let me know! But being a tourist area, I think the possibilities are pretty endless for places to stay. J&A racing does a lot of online coupons for restaurants (they have a ton of sponsors) in the area. Baker's Crust is really good for basic food (sandwiches, soups, breakfast, etc.). My sister's a big fan of Bubba's Seafood Restaurant...me not so much, but I don't eat seafood, but that is a good local place.

Hope that kind of helps!! Oh - and don't forget to wear something green for the race!

Ralph Butler

 I am planning on the Half this year.  i have done the full twice and the half a few times.  The wind can kinda be a downer and the weather can be anywhere from below freezing to pleasant.  Well run.  Good kids race too.  My 6 and 8 year old will be doing the mile.   We may need to have a Team dinner or something if we get a bunch of us there.

ht001

This does sound like a great event. Weather sounds like it could be iffy, but then again where are you not going to find iffy weather.

So...after all of that, I'm now planning something different. Decided to support a couple of other local events in April and May rather than travel to race in March.

I know....I come in here, stir things up, and then bail! Maybe in a future year.

trbrink

I've had a few friends run this race and they all say it is a great race. I may actually run it this year to accompany a friend who is pacing the race this year.