Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.