Shamrock Marathon
The Lowdown
The Shamrock Marathon is the marquee event of the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend, a St. Patrick's Day-season tradition in Virginia Beach organized by J&A Racing since 1973 (the 2027 edition is the 55th running). The USATF-certified, flat and fast out-and-back course starts at 42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue and finishes on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk near the King Neptune Statue, making it a popular Boston Marathon-qualifying race (the 2027 marathon qualifies for the 2028 Boston Marathon). The full marathon and half marathon run together on Sunday, with an 8K, Leprechaun Dash, and Final Mile held the day before as part of the same weekend. Yuengling is the race weekend's title sponsor, hosting a beachfront finish-line celebration with live music. Course time limit is 7 hours 30 minutes.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Crowd data unavailable
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
King Neptune Statue
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Virginia Beach Convention Center (expo)
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (start: 42nd St & Atlantic Ave; finish: Boardwalk near King Neptune Statue)
US
Eligibility
- Minimum age 16 for the marathon
Required Documents
- Photo ID for packet pickup
Entry Methods
- Online registration via Let's Do This (no lottery, first-come first-served)
Half Marathon runs concurrently with the Marathon on Sunday. Saturday of race weekend also features an 8K and a 1-mile Final Mile race, which are separate distances not recorded on this Marathon entry.
USATF course certification #VA22041RT.
No dogs permitted on course.
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Community
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